Karim Benzema 'would be a great signing for Arsenal' says Ray Parlour

Arsenal have again been advised to sign Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema to quell concerns over their attacking resources.

The Daily Mail has reported that according to reports in Spain, the Gunners are preparing a club record £46m ($71.75m) bid for Benzema in the final month of the transfer window. Olivier Giroud, Theo Walcott and the injured Danny Welbeck start the season as Arsenal's forward options but ex-midfielder Ray Parlour says manager Arsene Wenger should look to beef up their options.

"Benzema would be a great signing for Arsenal. I think fans would be really excited to have him in the squad. Cavani's been mentioned, whether he's a player who could come in," Parlour told Goal.com.

"He's got great experience with the national side and the teams he's been at so, if they're available, who knows? Something could happen there. Whether we can get them is another matter. We know how hard it is to buy players now. I'm sure Arsene Wenger, if those sort of players are on the market and he knows he can get them, maybe they're the ones he goes for."

Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown is also keen on the north London club securing a deal for Benzema, who netted 22 goals in all competitions last season as Real failed to win a single piece of silverware. Giroud, Walcott and Welbeck scored 34 goals between them in all competitions during a campaign where each player endured injury problems but there remains a perception the club are short in attack.

Meanwhile, Wenger continues to be baffled by continued enquiries by the media into Arsenal's reported interest in Benzema and was again left aghast at the suggestions following the Community Shield win over Premier League champions Chelsea. "No, nothing is happening [with Benzema]," he said, according to the official Arsenal website. "Honestly no. I don't know who brings that up. Is it Spanish media or English media? I don't know."