Olaleye Idowu
Manchester United legend, Rio Ferdinand has urged Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta to sign former Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema on loan this January transfer window.
Arteta is facing fresh calls to sign a new striker for the Gunners this month.
Gabriel Jesus is ruled out for the rest of the season due to an ACL injury, while Kai Havertz has come under fire over his missed chances in the Carabao Cup defeat to Newcastle United and in Arsenal’s penalty shoot-out defeat to Manchester United in the FA Cup last Sunday.
However, Ferdinand feels Benzema would offer a short-term solution for Arteta’s attacking current problems.
The former England defender said this while speaking alongside former Scotland striker Ally McCoist on TNT Sports’ pre-match coverage of Arsenal’s Premier League tie against Tottenham on Wednesday.
McCoist had suggested that Arteta should sign Victor Osimhen for Arsenal.
“They [Arsenal] need a goalscorer, it’s simple,” McCoist said. “Go and get Osimhen. He’s still been scoring goals in Türkiye, his form is not what it was 18 months ago with Napoli but I think he can get there again.”
But Ferdinand then said: “I’d go and get Benzema.
“I’d say give me a six-month loan, have that.”
Benzema currently plays for Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad.
