Benayoun: On a season-long loan from Chelsea
WENGER EYES PERMANENT BENAYOUN MOVE
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is in no doubt Yossi Benayoun can fit right in at the Emirates Stadium - and has not ruled out moving for the Israeli midfielder on a permanent basis.
The 31-year-old midfielder was one of five signings by the Gunners boss in the closing week ahead of the transfer deadline, joining on loan from Chelsea.
It is something of an unusual manoeuvre from the Arsenal manager, who rarely brings players in on a temporary basis, the last being Julio Baptista from Real Madrid in 2006.
However, Wenger indicated should things work out for the former West Ham and Liverpool creative midfielder, then a permanent transfer could well be on the cards.
"It's too early to say at the moment [whether we will sign him], but I don't rule it out," Wenger told a pre-match news conference ahead of Saturday's Barclays Premier League clash at Blackburn.
"I want him to contribute as much as he can to the rest of the squad like every other player - not more, not less.
"Benayoun gives his best every time he plays and we think he can integrate well. He can play on both flanks. He can play in the middle, although I think he prefers to play on the wing.
"Overall he has shown on Tuesday night [against Borussia Dortmund] that he is completely physically fit again."
The Gunners have endured one of the most testing starts to a campaign under Wenger's tenure, which resulted in them being thrashed 8-2 at Manchester United before the international break as the weaknesses of a squad which sold captain Cesc Fabregas and playmaker Samir Nasri were exposed in brutal fashion.
However, Arsenal followed up what was a nervy first Barclays Premier League victory over Swansea with a hard-earned 1-1 away draw at Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League on Tuesday night.
Assistant manager Pat Rice - who took charge of the team at Signal Iduna Park as Wenger served a European touchline ban - felt the squad had now turned the corner as they looked to the challenges ahead.
Wenger, though, firmly believes the time for positive rhetoric is over.
"We must win. We live in an environment that questions us when we don't win. We do not criticise that and have to live with that," the Arsenal manager said.
"We have to show performances, consistency and attitude quality, that makes us respected. It is as simple as that.
"That is why it is as important that we do not talk too much and play as well as we can.
"We feel we have turned the corner, but we will be judged by the consistency of our results."
Arsenal will have Alex Song and Gervinho available after serving three-match domestic suspensions from the opening game at Newcastle, while Wales midfielder Aaron Ramsey could return from the ankle problem which ruled him out of the midweek trip to Germany.
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