Arsenal's Arsene Wenger: 'I don't need Karim Benzema, I've got Olivier Giroud'

Karim Benzema of Real Madrid celebrates after scoring Real's opening goal during the La Liga match between Club Atletico de Madrid and Real Madrid at Vicente Calderon Stadium on October 4, 2015
© Getty Images
Arsene Wenger insists that Arsenal do not need to buy Karim Benzema because they have Olivier Giroud.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has insisted that he does not need to buy Karim Benzema because he has enough quality in Olivier Giroud.

The Premier League club have been linked with the Real Madrid forward in the past, but Giroud has found form of late after scoring a hat-trick in Arsenal's 3-0 win over Olympiacos, which put the club through to the last 16 of the Champions League.

When asked about Arsenal's potential interest in Benzema, Wenger told reporters: "I just said that Olivier Giroud is a great striker, so behind that we cannot buy Karim Benzema!"

Wenger also commented on the legal case involving Benzema, who has been suspended from the France national team while an investigation into a sex-tape scandal is ongoing.

In November, the Madrid forward was charged with complicity in an attempt to blackmail and participating in a criminal group, which is punishable by five years' imprisonment.

"I think it's a legal case, and as long as it has not been judged, you have to wait for the judgement," Wenger told reporters. "At the moment he cannot play because he is under investigation and as long as he is not cleared, he should not play."

Benzema has denied any wrongdoing.

Arsenal's Olivier Giroud shakes hands with boss Arsene Wenger on May 11, 2015
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