Arsenal boss brushes off Benzema speculation as 'just media talk'

Arsene Wenger has brushed off talk of a potential move for Karim Benzema as "just media talk" and hinted a new striker is not on his radar.

Talk of a move for Real Madrid frontman Benzema has been bubbling all summer, but the speculation has intensified over the last couple of days, however Wenger has dismissed the rumors.

"I never came out on Benzema. It is just media talk. When Sanchez and Welbeck are back we feel we have the needed striking force," said Wenger.

In his pre-match press conference Wenger also has said that Arsenal need to make an early statement in their quest for Premier League title glory.

Arsenal face two London derbies in August - against West Ham and Crystal Palace - as well as testing games against Liverpool and Newcastle before the end of the month.

He said: "We're ready for a fight and we're motivated to start well. One of our targets is to start strong.

"We have the needed ingredients to succeed but we have a tricky start with two London derbies."

Arsenal will be without Jack Wilshere for the first two months of the campaign but Wenger is confident the midfield schemer will come back stronger than ever from his broken fibula. 

He said: "It's bad luck and purely accidental. He's down but he's coping with it. He'll play with the same confidence and desire when he comes back."

Alexis Sanchez will not feature against West Ham this weekend but Wenger is happy with the condition of the Chile striker on his return from his Copa America involvement.

He said: "He (Sanchez) came back in good shape and should be available to play in 10 days. He played a World Cup, played a whole season, the Copa America and cannot start the season.

"The difficulty is to find holidays for your players. The season starts so early that you could end up with your youth team playing."