Karim Benzema

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

This reminds me of my poor Barking Mum

Every time I go to visit her in the home, it's "they are sending me home tomorrow"

Just the same way the Benzema transfer seems to be imminent, apart from when you talk to the player, the players agent, the two clubs that need to agree a deal and our manager.

It's also a bit like Jeremy Corbyn, every single person who has ever achieved anything worth while for Labour says "you'd be mad to vote for this bearded demagogue" but the voters read that as go on vote for him it'll be a laugh.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

Plus I do hate to be insistent on this point, but Benzema....he....he really isn't very good. And 50m is a lot of money to spend on someone who isn't very good.

[Niall_Quinn]

Benzema is a decent striker in relation to what is mostly dross across world football. The top tier strikers stand out a mile. Benzema, like so many footballers these days, has a name that's bigger than his talent. He's a better player than Giroud, Giroud is third tier. Benzema second. Aguero first.

If he's really available then we have an infinitesimally small chance of capturing him ahead of the chavs, gypos, manures and other dopers. It would have to be a weird, last minute, under the radar deal like Ozil's.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

Nah if we wanted him we'd get him

Van Gaal is as alike to Wenger in stubbornness as he is tactical paucity

[Kano]

That's the price you have to pay now for good, rather than exceptional talent. People blame the oil clubs for inflating the market but Sky are just as culpable, flooding the clubs pockets with ever increasing amounts deal on deal. Selling clubs know how cash rich we are, added to the fact there is a real drought of 'names' available or standout talent, because everyone has become neutered into being a 'team' player, individual talent frowned upon so everyone near enough plays the same way, and a £25m player is then doubled.

Benzema would be mad to come to Arsenal unless he was paid an even more insane amount of money - which he wouldn't be. At least he gets a proper shot at the CL most seasons at Madrid, he wouldn't even get his current obligatory league winners medal playing under Wenger. And all the pressure is focused on Bale, Ronaldo, Rodriguez and co, while he just ticks along off their scraps without having the hassle of being the main man. That has never worked out well for him on the international stage probably because it doesn't suit his personality. He's safe as houses where he is.

[fakeyank]

Benzene just tweeted that Madrid is his home. Thank Jesus that we didnt waste 50 million on Giroud v2.

[Niall_Quinn]

Presumably he'd only leave if that safe status was jeopardised by Marketing making some media headline/ vote rigging signing in the striker role, like Barca did with Suarez last year ridiculously getting rid of Alexis in the process. Even then, I agree, there are better options for him in terms of football. But if the lure is London and the chavs pass then I suppose a move might be convenient for all parties. Do we want a player coming for the London sights and sounds?

We fucked up massively by letting Vidal sail past without raising a finger. That's the kind of character we need (on the pitch at least). Wenger at his most stubborn and blind. Vidal would have been enough for a serious title push. It would have forced the mad bloke in charge to bust up his second rate formation and tactics. Which is probably one of the reasons he ran a mile while a top, top, top, top, top, top quality player who would most certainly improve the team was sailing by right under his nose. Alonso wasn't top, top, top, top, top quality either. He would have killed our one paced, tippy-tappy darlings.

[Niall_Quinn]

Benzene just tweeted that Madrid is his home. Thank Jesus that we didnt waste 50 million on Giroud v2.

All he's done there is state the obvious. Madrid is, in fact, his home. And if he joined us then London would be his home.

[Munchies]

FFS

Wasn't that good anyway

[Niall_Quinn]

FFS

Wasn't that good anyway

At least he can play in our almost-signed-him eleven.