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Benik Afobe
Benik Afobe, who used to play for Arsenal, has joined Bournemouth from Wolves for £10m. Photograph: Nigel French/PA
Benik Afobe, who used to play for Arsenal, has joined Bournemouth from Wolves for £10m. Photograph: Nigel French/PA

Arsène Wenger: Benik Afobe has the qualities to do well at Bournemouth

This article is more than 8 years old
Former Arsenal striker has joined south coast club for £9m
‘Benik had an outstanding attitude here,’ says Wenger

Arsène Wenger believes Benik Afobe is a shrewd signing for Bournemouth, saying the striker’s £9m fee is not excessive even though he was let go by Arsenal in January 2015.

Afobe has signed a four-and-a-half year contract at Bournemouth, with Eddie Howe opting to add the forward to his squad following a series of long-term injuries sustained by his attacking players this season. The 22-year-old scored 23 goals in 48 games for Wolves and is Bournemouth’s record signing.

“He has the qualities to integrate into a team like Bournemouth, whose game is based on movement, pace and quick football,” said Wenger. “I must say I am very happy for Benik because he had an outstanding attitude here and I am very pleased he has done well.

“It is a good opportunity for him and I hope he will be successful there. Sometimes you have to let people go who are not completely ready for us, knowing that they could be successful. I am very happy because we have contributed to his success and I hope he will have a long, good career.

“I believe it’s a normal price for a player who wants to play in the Premier League as a striker, it is not excessive. He has scored goals in the lower leagues and the risk is not massive considering Bournemouth will take advantage of the extra [TV] money that will come in at the end of the season.”

Wenger said he expected a busy transfer window for Premier League clubs, especially those attempting to avoid relegation. “At the bottom and at the top, everyone thinks they have a responsibility to do something because we have a chance if we do improve our squad,” said Wenger. “At the bottom, especially with the new TV deal coming in, the teams fearing to go down will be under pressure not to accept the situation.”

Arsenal play Liverpool at Anfield on Wednesday night, the first time that Wenger and Jürgen Klopp have met in English football. Mesut Özil and Mathieu Flamini are expected to return for Arsenal, while Alexis Sánchez could return for Arsenal’s following match against Stoke at the weekend.

Meanwhile. Wenger is expecting Mohamed Elneny to complete his move to the club this week, saying: “We are positive this week that it can happen. The situation should be sorted out this week as there are a lot of work permit problems as well and special paperwork to do. We hope we can finalise it this week.”

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