Arsenal Transfer News: Karim Benzema Admits Real Madrid Frustration, Top Rumours

Arsenal will undoubtedly be welcoming the news that Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema appears to be getting frustrated at the Bernabeu under new boss Rafael Benitez.

According to Agustin Martin of AS, when asked if he was "fed up of being substituted" after Real's 1-1 draw with Atletico in the Madrid derby on Sunday, he said: "Yes, it’s true. I’m a relaxed person and will keeping work hard so I’m not the player who gets taken off. I was subbed to make the team more defensive given the result."

Pressed on the fact he is regularly withdrawn, Benzema added: "You need to ask the coach on that point.”

As the Daily Star's Jamie Anderson reports, Benzema's frustration could prompt a revival of interest from Arsenal, who was heavily linked with the forward in the summer.



Francisco Seco/Associated Press

The Frenchman put Los Blancos ahead inside 10 minutes at Atletico, and he is currently La Liga's top scorer with six goals.

However, Benzema has completed 90 minutes just once in the league this season, and on Sunday, he was forced to make way for Mateo Kovacic as Benitez sought to defend the 1-0 lead.

Football journalist Dermot Corrigan gave some insight into the Spaniard's thinking, but he admitted the tactic did not go as planned as Luciano Vietto grabbed a late equaliser with Benzema off of the pitch:


The Gunners have enjoyed great success up front in their recent matches as Alexis Sanchez and Theo Walcott have formed an exciting partnership and are terrorising defences with their electric pace.

Walcott has scored 15 goals from his last 20 starts, while OptaJoe highlights Sanchez's return to form after a slow start to the season:


Nevertheless, a top-quality, prolific centre-forward such as Benzema would be of great help to Arsenal's chances of winning a Premier League title.

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It's early days as far as Benitez's working relationship with him goes, though, so it would take a significant downturn before Benzema seeks the exit door from a club he is enjoying a successful spell with.

That said, the Spaniard is never likely to substitute Cristiano Ronaldo, so if he pursues with his tactic of bringing on a midfielder for a forward when in a winning position, Benzema could find himself sacrificed a lot this season.

An alternative to the 27-year-old is Paris Saint-Germain's Edinson Cavani. According to Spanish outlet Fichajes (via Metro's George Bellshaw), Arsenal "are still working on" a move for the striker.


Thibault Camus/Associated Press

The 28-year-old has bagged eight goals already this season, following up on the 31 he notched in all competitions last year.

Like Benzema, the Uruguayan is the kind of ruthless goalscorer who could have a big impact on Arsenal's ability to compete in the Premier League and in Europe.

However, as football journalist Jonathan Johnson noted in the summer, Cavani isn't likely to be leaving the club:

The forward would undoubtedly cost Arsenal a huge transfer fee, which would likely make manager Arsene Wenger reluctant to do the deal.

The Frenchman has shown a willingness to part with large sums, capturing Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez, but both were 24 at the time while Cavani will turn 29 this season.

With the Gunners unlikely to recoup much of the money via resale, Wenger would have to significantly change the way he operates in the transfer market to pursue Cavani in earnest.