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Why signing Karim Benzema is a bad idea for Arsenal

Karim Benzema
© Nathan Congleton
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Despite Karim Benzema being a Ballon d’Or winner, Emmanuel Petit thinks Arsenal should steer clear of him and has explained why.

Emmanuel Petit thinks Arsenal should not sign Karim Benzema in the January transfer window.

The Gunners are short on firepower at the moment. This has fueled reports of a winter move for a new striker. Brentford star Ivan Toney is one name frequently linked with the club, but could Benzema be a better alternative?

The 2022 Ballon d’Or winner is reportedly unsettled at Al-Ittihad after his summer move from Real Madrid. Yet, Petit isn’t sure he can perform in the Premier League, and reckons his big salary could be a problem.

“What’s the price for Benzema?” the former Arsenal midfielder said on Compare.bet.

“Do you have any idea how much Benzema will be earning in Saudi? I don’t think any English club will be able to offer him the same amount of money.”

“It’s Benzema’s choice if he comes back,” Petit added.

“But after winning everything with Real Madrid and being 34 years old, I don’t think he will want to come to the Premier League.

“It’s so physical, it’s so mentally hard, it’s not La Liga, with all the respect for him, he played for probably the biggest club in the world with great success, but it’s not the Premier League.

“I’m not confident Arsenal should go to Benzema, they should go for someone else.”

Arsenal return to action on Saturday at home to Crystal Palace in the Premier League.

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