Mikel Arteta recently disclosed that Arsenal might refrain from making any January signings, aligning with Premier League financial constraints, heightened by Everton’s ten-point penalty in November. Despite the pressing need for a prolific goalscorer, the current options, Eddie Nketiah and Gabriel Jesus, appear insufficient, potentially jeopardizing Arsenal’s title aspirations.
Amid speculation surrounding Balon d’Or winner Karim Benzema, his potential arrival raises concerns about his age, wages, and compatibility. Despite reported turmoil in Saudi Arabia, Benzema seems to dismiss exit rumors, closing the door on a move to Arsenal.
This eliminates the risk of decisions by Arteta and Edu that could upset fans, but to accommodate Benzema, player departures seem inevitable. Emile Smith Rowe’s expected departure due to limited game time is already on the horizon, and additional academy graduates may follow suit. Selling youth products, including Nketiah and Reiss Nelson, could mitigate Financial Fair Play (FFP) deficits, but their departures may trigger dissatisfaction among fans.
Some supporters entertain the notion of selling Nketiah for a potential striker like Ivan Toney, Alexander Isak, or Ollie Watkins, but Benzema doesn’t fit this narrative. His contract demands and age pose challenges, contradicting Arteta’s recruitment strategy. Even a short-term loan deal could raise FFP-related questions.
While landing Benzema might require significant sacrifices, the potential harm outweighs the benefits. It remains more probable that Arteta opts not to make any signings, adhering to the initial indication.
