Arsenal are reported to have drafted the announcement of Karim Benzema transfer and the media now claim that Lars Bender may follow the suit of the French international striker in the event of the Gunners shelling out £18million.

The 26-year-old midfielder has long been known to be on the radar of the London outfit and the Mirror even reported recently that Arsene Wenger had sent his officials for the Champions League fixture involving Bayern Leverkusen and Lazio.

Despite their crowded midfield, the Community Shield holders have a poor supply of defensive midfielders, with the likes of Mikel Arteta and Mathieu Flamini not getting any younger and they have, thus, been linked with Grzegorz Krychowiak and the likes throughout this summer.

Francis Coquelin remains undisputed in his primary position, but Arsene Wenger does not have a proper deputy, let alone an able competitor for his compatriot and the capture of the German international could not only reinforce the position but also bring the best out of the former Charlton Athletic loanee.

Despite Lars Bender being a subject of interest of elite European clubs such as Barcelona for a few seasons now, his employers have somehow managed to hold on to his services, but their stance may change as a world-class defensive midfielder signing is the need of the hour at Arsenal.