The France international was recently suspended from the national team over the Mathieu Valbuena blackmail saga. Benzema, a long-time target for the English giants, was on top of Wenger’s transfer list last summer but the French tactician now seems to have changed his mind ahead of the January transfer season.
Benzema (in hooded jacket) is whisked away by police officers for questioning over the Mathieu Valbuena blackmail saga.
Instead, Wenger has expressed his confidence in his countryman Olivier Giroud, who has scored 10 goals in his last 12 appearances for the North London club. During an interview with journalists, Wenger described him as a ''world class’’ striker, hence no need to go for Benzema’s signature.
Giroud netted a hat-trick against Olympiacos to help the Gunners qualify for the last round of 16 in the UEFA Champions League, on Wednesday night in Greece.
Giroud (on the ground) celebrates his first ever hat-trick for Arsenal against Olympiacos on Wednesday night
"I think he'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.’’
"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."
"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.’’
On signing Benzema, the 66-year-old manager concluded:
"We just said that Olivier Giroud is a great striker, so behind that we cannot buy Karim Benzema,"
The 27-year-old has scored eight La Liga goals for Los Blancos in nine appearances this season.
