Arsenal Transfer News: Arsene Wenger Makes Karim Benzema Admission, Top Rumours

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has declared he will not make a move for Real Madrid's Karim Benzema in the January transfer window because of his faith in current Gunners striker Olivier Giroud. 

The coach said he "cannot buy" the Galacticos attacker and explained Giroud's current form puts him in the same class bracket as the best in Europe, as reported by talkSPORT:

"

I think [Giroud's] in that league because he plays for one of the best clubs in Europe and he scores goals. 

If you look at the number of games and the number of goals, you have to give him credit.

He's not only a goalscorer, he's a guy who puts work in for the team. I think he's among the best strikers in Europe.

I believe recently he has come back with an improved game and with his finishing. Wednesday was one of his best performances on all fronts.

"

And when asked about the potential capture of Benzema, Wenger replied, per talkSPORT: "We just said that Olivier Giroud is a great striker, so behind that we cannot buy Karim Benzema."

Benzema has been in sensational form for Los Blancos on the field of play, but he has suffered personal problems away from it.

Spanish newspaper El Confidencial (h/t Aaron Flanagan of the Mirror) reported Arsenal "will be given the chance" to sign the controversial forward, as Benzema's off-the-pitch activities are in the spotlight. 

Nicholas Godden of the Daily Mail explained the role Benzema is alleged to have played in a blackmail case involving France team-mate Mathieu Valbuena and other parties. 

The prolific Real target man had been linked to a big-money to Arsenal last summer by pundit Rodney Marsh, who told talkSPORT's Sports Bar the player would arrive at the Emirates Stadium: "I had a phone call from a mate of mine, and he’s been right on many things, and he said that he believes Real Madrid have accepted a bid somewhere in the region of £48 million for [Karim] Benzema from Arsenal. In the past, this guy has always been right, he’s never been wrong yet, so we’ll have to wait and see."

It appears Giroud's current form has suitably impressed his manager, with the Frenchman scoring a hat-trick against Olympiakos, taking the Gunners through to the knockouts of the UEFA Champions League.

Giroud has shared the striker's role with Theo Walcott this season, but as the England attacker once again struggles with fitness, the France international has hit a purple patch, scoring 13 goals in 20 Premier League and European appearances, according to WhoScored.com.

What's more impressive is Giroud has risen from the sub's bench on seven of those occasions, often netting in the final part of matches. 

Gunners fans will be disappointed to hear the manager disassociate himself with a move for Benzema, as Arsenal still appear light in the striker's role at the point of the attack. 

If the north London giant's bad luck with injuries continue, the starting XI could be short of a recognised goalscorer, if Giroud follows Walcott's fate. 

Despite Wenger's admission about Benzema, the Gunners look set to make signings in January, according to French journalist Philippe Auclair.

Auclair told the ArseAmerica podcast (h/t Will Giles of Metro) he is sure new arrivals will soon be treading the boards at the Emirates:

"

There is a lot of talk around the club about recruiting players quite early in January to address the obvious holes in the squad that we can see week in week out.

I would be amazed if there was not an effort from Arsenal to recruit in this particular department [defensive midfield] fairly swiftly.

As a matter of fact I can tell you that there are already discussions going on between the club and a few possible targets.

"

When quizzed about how sure he is about Arsenal making moves in the January transfer market, Auclair replied, per ArseAmerica: "I would put them between 99 per cent and 100 per cent. That’s how confident I am."

Arsenal certainly need signings in the upcoming transfer window, and the club will be disappointed by a number of their displays in the Premier League.

Qualification from the group stage of the Champions League has been an arduous struggle, and Wenger's inability to sign an outfield player in the summer immensely disadvantaged his team.

The Gunners still look weak in defence—as they have done for a number of seasons—and the club's midfielders do not have enough acumen as a collective to protect the back four. 

If Wenger could find a defensive-midfield talent of a world-class standing in January, there is every chance Arsenal will pick up silverware in the next six months.