However, a recent string of less impressive results, with only one win and four points from five Premier League matches, has dropped the Gunners to fourth place, five points behind leaders Liverpool. Their goal tally of 37 from 20 games is the seventh-best in the league, and Bukayo Saka, with just six goals, is their leading scorer.
Given that Eddie Nketiah and Gabriel Jesus have a combined total of only eight top-flight goals, Arteta is keen on bolstering his attacking options before the end of January. The feasibility of such a move depends on Arsenal's ability to manage their Financial Fair Play (FFP) situation, which may require some player exits to facilitate significant market activity.
Currently, there hasn't been any transfer activity during the January window, but that is expected to change soon, with two weeks remaining for deals to be concluded.
According to reports from TEAMtalk, Arsenal is interested in bringing Benzema on board for the second half of the season. Benzema, a legendary forward, made a surprising move to Al-Ittihad in the Saudi Pro League during the summer, ending his long-term association with Real Madrid. However, the transfer hasn't paid off, as Al-Ittihad finds themselves 25 points behind league leaders Al-Hilal, and their title defense seems unlikely.
Additionally, Benzema was recently left out of a mid-season training camp, fueling speculation about the possibility of a loan move elsewhere. The challenge for Arsenal, and also for Chelsea who is reportedly monitoring the situation, would be to figure out how to manage Benzema's high salary if a deal is to be completed.
Considering Benzema's contract with Al-Ittihad runs until 2026, a permanent move in the middle of the 2023-24 season seems highly improbable. Al-Ittihad also has ambitions to win the AFC Champions League.
