Chelsea are about to bring an A-list forward to Stamford Bridge – and he has previous when it comes to riling Arsenal supporters
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Chelsea are prepared to bring a new striker to Stamford Bridge who has already endeared himself to Blues fans – by insulting Arsenal.
Though neither club considers the other their primary enemies, there's no love lost between the London rivals, who have consistently met in finals over the past few years. The Gunners have bettered Chelsea in recent FA Cup clashes, though Arsenal were battered 4-1 in Baku's 2019 Europa League showpiece.
The touchpaper could be lit once more, too, with the west Londoners targeting a star who once upset touchy Gooners over rumours he could be about to head to the Emirates Stadium.
There's no love lost between Chelsea and Arsenal (Image credit: Getty Images)
According to The Telegraph, attentions at the Bridge are turning to a striker, with the possibility of former Ballon d'Or winner, Karim Benzema, completing a short-term switch to the Premier League.
The French frontman is said not to be enjoying his time in Saudi Arabia particular, having been left out of Al-Ittihad training camps following his high-profile and surprise exit from the Bernabeu over the summer. Benzema is no stranger to the Premier League rumour mill either, having been linked with Arsenal consistently during his pomp at the top of the European game.
Karim Benzema is linked with Chelsea, years after insulting Arsenal (Image credit: Michael Regan - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
Plenty of fans took exception to that at a time in which Arsenal were struggling to sign a top-calibre centre-forward – with that summer seeing Wenger miss out on his No.1 target and settle for a transfer window in which only Petr Cech joined (from Chelsea, in fact).
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The 36-year-old is valued by Transfermarkt at €15 million.
Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.
