Arsene Wenger believes Karim Benzema and Olivier Giroud can play in tandem.
Arsene Wenger has insisted Karim Benzema and Olivier Giroud can form an effective partnership for France – leading to the intriguing possibility that Arsenal could target the Real Madrid striker in January.
Benzema and Giroud have started just one game together for Les Blues this year, a disappointing 0-0 draw at home to Georgia, and the Gunners man is set to play as a lone striker in Friday’s friendly with Australia.
Real’s Benzema is regarded as one of the finest forwards in Europe but the 25-year-old, who boasts 50 international caps, has not scored for his country sine June 2012 – a staggering 1,217 minutes.
Arsenal boss Wenger, who was linked with a move for Benzema in August, says he is confident the former Lyon star can play in tandem with Giroud, and blamed France’s lack of assist providers for the duo’s woes.
“As for whether Olivier Giroud and Karim Benzema can play together… they can, yes. But up until now, their partnership hasn’t worked so they must find another way,” Wenger wrote in his blog for Eurosport.
“It’s always hard. But you must have guys who are giving good assists as well as guys who can score. Right now, those who fail to score are always being singled out. But a question must be answered: do we have enough guys giving good assists? I think France are lacking something in this regard.”
Arsenal are in the market for a striker to provide competition for in-form Giroud and were linked with Benzema’s teammate Gonzalo Higuain, before the Argentine joined Napoli.
