At the onset of January, Mikel Arteta indicated that Arsenal might refrain from signing new players due to Premier League spending regulations, alluding to the ten-point penalty Everton received in November.
Despite Arteta’s stance, it’s evident that Arsenal is in need of a player with goal-creating abilities, as both Eddie Nketiah and Gabriel Jesus have struggled in that aspect. The acquisition of a new attacker could significantly bolster Arsenal’s chances of contending for the title this season.
Among the players under consideration is Karim Benzema, particularly amidst rumors of potential issues in Saudi Arabia.
However, concerns arise regarding Benzema’s age, 36, his substantial wages, and the compatibility of his playing style with Arsenal. Despite Benzema asserting his commitment to his current team, Arteta and Edu face the challenging task of making decisions that won’t disenchant the fans.
Potential departures, such as Emile Smith Rowe, who sees limited playing time, could be on the horizon. Selling academy players is viewed as a strategy to address Financial Fair Play (FFP) constraints. While Bukayo Saka is widely regarded as indispensable, offloading popular figures like Nketiah and Reiss Nelson might evoke discontent among the fanbase.
Certain fans propose selling Nketiah to generate funds for other strikers like Ivan Toney, Alexander Isak, or Ollie Watkins. However, pursuing Benzema comes with significant implications, possibly conflicting with Arteta’s player selection philosophy, especially considering the financial constraints imposed by FFP regulations.
Opting for Benzema may necessitate tough decisions that could potentially exacerbate existing problems rather than resolve them. Arteta might lean towards abstaining from new player acquisitions, adhering to the notion that Arsenal won’t make any moves during the January transfer window.
The delicate balance between bolstering the squad’s capabilities and adhering to financial and fan-related considerations remains a challenging aspect for Arsenal’s management during this transfer window.
