Karim Benzema 'fed up' with part-time Real Madrid role under Rafa Benitez

Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema is one of the biggest stars in the club's latest Galacticos project. So it's a bit of a mystery to him why he keeps being substituted out of matches under new manager Rafa Benitez.

Benzema has been removed from games five times out of seven league fixtures, despite leading La Liga in the scoring charts with six goals. His replacements are often defensive players, leaving him wondering what he needs to do to play the full 90 minutes.

"Substitutions are what the coach decides, I'm just there to help my teammates," Benzema told AS, as quoted by the Independent. "It's true I'm fed up of being taken off. I'm calm and will continue to work so I'm not always substituted. He took me off to get a result, for defensive reasons.

"It's true that the electronic board always shows the No. 9. Ask Benitez why that is."

Arsenal fans will certainly welcome any sort of unsettled feelings between Madrid and Benzema. The Gunners were heavily linked with the Frenchman's signature throughout the summer transfer window, and perhaps a promise of guaranteed playing time would do the trick.