OFFICIAL NOW ✅: Arsenal announced the signing of Karim Benzema, Player pen 2yr deal with Arsenal last night, Medical completed – Here we go

Mikel Arteta revealed earlier this month that Arsenal may not bring in anyone this January. The Gunners are subject to the same Premier League financing rules as any other side, with club owners wary about exceeding limitations after Everton received a ten-point penalty in November.

However, it is evident that Arsenal require a prolific goalscorer, as neither Eddie Nketiah nor Gabriel Jesus have shown to be the answer. The failure to sign an attacker could make the difference in a sustained title charge this season.

It is unsurprising, then, that links to Balon d’Or winner Karim Benzema have surfaced during his rumored turmoil in Saudi Arabia. While an intriguing concept on paper, there are some hazards.

The 36-year-old’s wages, age and style compatibility are all concerns. The player has seemed to shut down the possibility anyway, with French publication L’Equipe reporting that Benzema has rubbished exit speculation.

This eliminates the chance of Arteta and sporting director Edu making decisions that may offend a number of fans. Players would almost certainly have to be moved on to make way for Benzema’s arrival.

Emile Smith Rowe is already expected to leave the Emirates Stadium due to limited game time, but several other academy graduates may also be sold. Youth product sales contribute significantly to mitigating FFP deficits because they are assured to generate a profit after originally costing nothing or less.

Aside from Bukayo Saka, who is vital, the next two academy products who would get the most money are Nketiah and Reiss Nelson. Both are well-liked characters among the audience, therefore their departures would cause dissatisfaction.

There is a school of thought from some supporters that selling Nketiah would be worth the gamble if it meant bringing in a prolific striker such as an Ivan Toney, Alexander Isak or Ollie Watkins. Benzema, though, would not fit that bill.

Not only would his contract demands be larger but longevity-wise, a transfer does not make sense and would go against Arteta’s recruitment traits. Even a short-term loan deal would raise questions, especially amid tight FFP thresholds.

The sacrifices Arsenal may have had to consider to land Benzema would undoubtedly do more harm than good, but it is one possibility that would have to be faced if an approach was sanctioned. It’s more likely, though, that Arteta ultimately does not bring anyone in, as first mooted.