Arsenal transfer news: Karim Benzema would have been a great signing, admits Olivier Giroud

Benzema had been linked with a £48m move

James Orr
Monday 31 August 2015 05:49 EDT
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Karim Benzema with Real Madrid team-mates James Rodriguez (l) and Luka Modric
Karim Benzema with Real Madrid team-mates James Rodriguez (l) and Luka Modric (GETTY IMAGES)

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Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud says it is a shame the club did not sign Real Madrid's Karim Benzema this summer, despite them both playing in the same position.

Benzema had been linked with a £48m move to the Emirates during the summer, but has dismisses reports that he will leave Madrid.

“The coach [Wenger] knows very well what he is doing, and sometimes you should not buy just to buy, and sometimes there are not players out there that you need, who are available,” Giroud told beIN Sports.

“We have a very good squad, with quality, and I am sure that with this squad we can go very far. But it would have been good if Karim had signed too.”

Giroud also maintained his stance that he does never wanted to leave the Gunners.

Olivier Giroud rues a missed chance against Liverpool
Olivier Giroud rues a missed chance against Liverpool (AFP)

“I would have been surprised if you had read a lot of things about my possibly leaving the club, because that was never on the table,” the 28-year-old said.

“Now, I am very good here, I say it, I repeat it. It is true that every year here there is speculation about a new striker signing.

“There were seasons when we signed [Alexis] Sanchez and [Danny] Welbeck, others when we were talking about [Luis] Suarez. It is obvious that in a club, a team, where a lot is expected, we need several good attackers and I understand that the fans want that we spend more money.”

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