Get Karim Benzema! Arsenal legend Martin Keown tell Arsene Wenger

Arsenal legend Martin Keown has told SportsArena he wants the club to sign a new striker and believes Karim Benzema is the man they should target.

Last season the Gunners relied on Alexis Sanchez to supplement the goals of centre forward Olivier Giroud and in the end the Chilean ended the campaign with 16 strikes to his name, two more than the French striker.

Meanwhile, Theo Walcott nabbed four goals in his last two games as he returned from injury while Danny Welbeck could only manage four Premier League goals in his debut season in north London.

And to solve this problem, Keown wants to see Arsene Wenger launch a move for Real Madridstar Benzema, although he concedes they could face competition for his signature.

“I’d like to see a striker signed,” he told the Weekend Sports Breakfast.

“I think there is no doubt about it, I’ve been in that dressing room when a top player comes in, it sends a ripple through the dressing room you feel almost invincible and on the outside the opposition look at how good you were before and think how much better you will be now.

“If you’re not the champions and your striker, Olivier Giroud, didn’t start the FA Cup final last season, there are question marks over that position and maybe they need to be addressed.

“Danny Welbeck is injured. Theo Walcott has just signed a new contract so there are lots of options. I’d just like to see a more mobile and frightening front player to come into that Arsenal group.

“Why not go for Karim Benzema to play down the middle. I think Manchester United are just as keen to get a striker in as Arsenal so perhaps those two will be bidding against each other to bring someone in at the last minute.”

And Keown has admitted, despite Walcott signing a new deal with the Gunners, which reportedly makes him the club’s best paid player, he doesn’t expect the player to lead the line for the Gunners next season.

He added: “Listening to every press conference, like I do intently, I think Arsene Wenger gave [Walcott’s role] away by saying he needs to play alongside a big striker.

“I don’t think he will go with Theo Walcott as the striker throughout the season. I think he will come in to play cameo roles. I don’t think he will start every week in that position.

“He’s been at the club for ten years now and I still feel we’re yet to see the best of him. His finish in the FA Cup final was outstanding it showed what he is capable of. So there is that option for him to play down the middle.”