Never wanted to join Arsenal, happy at Madrid: Benzema

French striker Karim Benzema has said that he was never interested in a move to English Premier League (EPL) club Arsenal, and wants to stay with Real Madrid.

The striker was continually linked with a move to the London club during the summer transfer window.

Ultimately Arsenal did not make a move for the striker despite their supporters' clamouring for manager Arsene Wenger to add more firepower to their squad.

"Not at all in fact. I'm not going to repeat myself every time. I'm at the best club in the world and I'm going to continue to work every year. I'm happy where I am," Benzema was quoted as saying by French television channel Telefoot on Sunday.

The decision to not attempt a move for Benzema was criticised by a host of pundits, with former Arsenal striker Thierry Henry suggesting that Wenger's inability to sign a new striker could cost the club dearly, especially in the wake of a serious injury to Danny Welbeck.

"I do not know if the boss wanted Benzema or not but the player must also want to come if there is to be a deal," Henry said.

"So I do not think that Arsene did not want to bring any other players in. I think he should have tried to bring players in and I think he did try but it could not happen. I still think the team needed some players," the former Arsenal striker said.