Wenger has already wrapped up a deal which sees Brazilian left wing back Andres Santos join from the Turkish side Fenerbahce, as DBS Football reported yesterday, and now another defensive addition has been made. It is clear Wenger understands the problem with his current side - his defence.
Mertesacker has been trailed by Arsenal for a while, but other options have side tracked the North London club from making a bid official for the Werder Bremen captain, such as Wenger's interest in Gary Cahill of Bolton. Arsenal have now ended their bid to sign Cahill, who would have cost around double the price of Mertesacker.
At 6 foot 6 inches, Arsenal's new defensive signing will help massively with the teams problems in dealing with set pieces, especially when you consider the astonishing statistic that last season, 53% of Arsenal's conceded goals came from set pieces. His towering height will also be a bonus when Arsenal win corners of their own and need someone to smash the ball in with a powerful header.
He is a composed, experienced and powerful defender, who is comfortable on the ball and precise in the tackle. Captaining Werder Bremen shows he has the leadership qualities needed in a weak Arsenal team, and a partnership with Thomas Vermaelen looks frighteningly intimidating for opposition attackers.
The Bremen general manager Klaus Allofs said: "Per has had the wish to join a big European club for some time. Arsenal was always his favourite club," and while Mertesacker is in the German squad for this weeks Euro 2012 qualifiers, the German national boss Joachim Loew has granted his player a day off to talk to Arsenal ahead of his move which will see him pocket £80,000 per week.
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