Arsenal Transfer News: Karim Benzema Refutes Rumours, Ray Parlour's Gunners Fear

Karim Benzema has rubbished claims he was on the brink of leaving Real Madrid to join Arsenal in the Premier League.

The French international, who has been recovering from injury, spoke to Telefoot (h/t James Orr of the Independent) about the transfer speculation surrounding a prospective move to north London and categorically denied the rumours:

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There was nothing in the talk of a transfer away from Madrid. I'm happy at my current club, it's the best in the world. I'll continue to work here and be happy where I am. It's been like four months since I played properly. I've played a little bit for Madrid, but that's all. I'm working little by little to be back in shape.

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Arsenal fans were excited at the prospect of grabbing Benzema from the Bernabeu during the summer, as manager Arsene Wenger looked to strengthen his front line. However, no deal came to pass, and Wenger failed to bring in an attacker to compete with Olivier Giroud. 

Petr Cech remained the Gunners' only marquee signing, with no outfield players being added to the first-team picture. 

Wenger has come in for the expected criticisms for not buying a striker, but his former top goalscorer Thierry Henry has rushed to his defence. Speaking on Sky Sports (h/t James Whaling of the Daily Mirror), the Frenchman was erudite in his opinion:

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I do not know if the boss wanted Benzema or not, but the player must also want to come. What are you going to offer to the guy who is playing for one of the best teams in the world, knowing that he is playing there week in, week out, and performing well?

So I do not think that Arsene did not want to bring any other players - that would have been another story if he had really said: 'I do not want to bring in any other players.' But he said that if it can be done, then I will try to bring someone.

But how do you get Benzema from Real Madrid when he plays there and Cavani also from Paris Saint-Germain - he scored again at the weekend? It is a difficult one.

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Henry's comments bring sanity to the debate, and it is unlikely Wenger simply ignored players on the market. The injury to Danny Welbeck has compounded Arsenal supporters' concerns, with the team failing to have a world-class entity at the point of the attack. 

But ESPN's Miguel Delaney points out Wenger didn't only need a world-class striker like Benzema and could have at least expanded his attacking stock:

However, Wenger clearly believed he only wanted the very best—or nothing at all—in his striker's role. Arsenal's philosophy has always centred around pass and move, and a fluid midfield. Wenger has rarely looked towards a goal-hungry striker since the days of Ian Wright—even Henry was a centre-forward who was happier in the wider areas. 

Benzema is a huge miss for the Emirates team, and he would have been perfect for their needs. The experienced striker hit 21 goals and provided 11 assists in La Liga and the Champions League last year, per WhoScored.com, and he would've more than likely transferred this kind of performance value to the Premier League. 

Ray Parlour Fears For Wenger

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Former Gunners midfielder Ray Parlour says he is apprehensive about his old club's hopes for the season ahead after the team failed to make a top outfield signing in the recent transfer window.

Speaking to BT Sport (h/t Liam Corless of the Mirror), the pundit says he expects a fan backlash against Wenger if the team underachieves once again this year:

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Everybody was waiting for a big outfield player. They had Ozil two years ago, Sanchez last season and it just didn't happen. It will be interesting to see what happens with Arsenal because Wenger will be under pressure. If they start losing a few games fans will be looking back and seeing Lord Harris saying 'we've got £200m to spend - where's that money going? We want to spend that money. It's not your money Arsene Wenger'.

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Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images

Rarely before has a team's lack of a signing caused so much fuss, but the thirst for Arsenal to compete with Manchester City and Chelsea is vast. But the Gunners have trailed behind whichever side has been winning the league in any given season, and it looks a likely outcome once again in 2015-16.

However, Wenger has a very assured way of viewing squad building, and has bought top players when the right ones come along. As Henry said, it is very hard to sign players like Benzema or Edinson Cavani, especially when their clubs are not willing to sell. 

Like any of the big clubs in the Premier League, a sniff of underachievement will be met with panic and outrage, and Wenger is susceptible to the same forces as any of the top coaches plying their trades in England. 

The Gunners have a squad packed with quality, and they will be incredibly hard to beat in the vast majority of their matches this term.