Karim Benzema's stance on Arsenal transfer as Rio Ferdinand issues Mikel Arteta demand
Rio Ferdinand has urged Arsenal to pursue a loan move for Karim Benzema in an effort to solve their struggles in front of goal - with the former Real Madrid man underlining his desire to keep on playing
Karim Benzema has no plans to retire and claims he has years left in the game - with Arsenal urged to sign the former Real Madrid star.
The Frenchman chose to quit Los Blancos in 2023 and head to Saudi Arabia, where he penned a lucrative contract with Al Ittihad. That move came after he produced some of the best seasons of his career, culminating with him picking up a number of individual honours.
Benzema scored 75 times in his final two seasons with Real, including a career best 44 in the year that the Spanish side claimed the Champions League. Arsenal have been tipped to bring in more firepower in January as they continue to struggle in the final third.
Despite now being 37, Benzema has no intention of hanging up his boots and hasn't set a time limit for retiring. A number of players have headed to Saudi Arabia before returning to Europe and the Frenchman is determined to keep on playing with trophies still a huge motivator.
READ MORE: Mikel Arteta slammed for £30m transfer error as Arsenal told to 'forget about' dream dealREAD MORE: Arsenal's Gabriel Jesus replacement 'lives for goals' as Mikel Arteta gets green lightAs reported by EPSN, he said this month: "I don't know whose words they are. Nonsense. I don't have a limit, to be able to say that in two, three or four years, that I'll be leaving football. I feel good. My body is fine. I train well and we'll see how I feel each year."
Benzema also added: "I want to keep winning. In my head, I want to win a trophy with Al Ittihad. It's difficult because the level has improved a lot and the teams are strong, better than before. We'll keep working, because we haven't won anything yet."
Ally McCoist claimed that Victor Osimhen, currently on loan at Galatasaray from Napoli, would be the ideal target for Arsenal, but Ferdinand came out and called on the Gunners to put an offer to the Ballon d'Or winner. He said: "I’d go and get Benzema. I’d say give me a six-month loan, have that."
The striker has scored 28 times in 46 outings for Al Ittihad and his goals would aid Arsenal's hopes of winning either the Premier League or the Champions League with Kai Havertz currently the central point of their attack.
Ferdinand asked Arteta after the north London derby win if Arsenal, who have seen Gabriel Jesus ruled out for the season, would now act in January with goals, as well as attacking resources, now a problem at the Emirates.
Arteta told TNT Sports : "Yes for sure because we lost two big players, Bukayo who could be out for up to three months and then Gabby who will be out for a long, long, long time. We are going to try [in this window] for sure. We are actively looking. We will try. Let's see what we can get."
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