Arsenal ended their nightmare summer on Wednesday night by clinching a dramatic last-gasp deal to sign Per Mertesacker, Yossi Benayoun and Mikel Arteta.
On a frantic day of twists and turns, Arsenal thought that negotiations for Arteta had collapsed completely after Everton accepted a £10 million offer.
But, at shortly before 9pm last night, the Spaniard pushed to join Arsène Wenger's men by accepting a £10,000-a-week cut.
"Mikel indicated to me that he wished to join Arsenal if a bid came in," Toffees boss David Moyes told his club's official website.
"I am very disappointed to lose him but the prospect of Champions League football was something I wasn't able to offer him."
In another last-minute move, the Gunners signed Benayoun on a year-long loan from Chelsea.
Chelsea's willingness to allow Benayoun to move to Arsenal is a reflection that the Israeli was unlikely to be included in their squad for the Champions League group stage.
The midfielder, on international duty with Israel, tweeted: "I sign with Arsenal, very happy and excited about it, but now my head is only in the game against grecce on friday, thanks for the support."
Earlier on Wednesday, Arsenal were also finalising deals for Germany centre-half Mertesacker.
At 6ft 6 ins and with 75 international caps for Germany, Mertesacker will clearly bring a considerable presence to an Arsenal defense that has looked so fragile in recent seasons.
A £9 million deal was agreed with Werder Bremen and he has agreed a contract until 2015.
Mertesacker told the club's official website: "I had a great time at Werder Bremen and I'm grateful to the club.
"Moving to London enables me to fulfil a dream and a further step in my career.
"The Premier League has always represented a great challenge for me."
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| Arsenal beat the transfer deadline to secure the signing of Mikel Arteta Photo: Getty Images |
On a frantic day of twists and turns, Arsenal thought that negotiations for Arteta had collapsed completely after Everton accepted a £10 million offer.
The 29-year-old was on £70,000 a week but the Gunners were only prepared to offer £60,000.
But, at shortly before 9pm last night, the Spaniard pushed to join Arsène Wenger's men by accepting a £10,000-a-week cut.
"Mikel indicated to me that he wished to join Arsenal if a bid came in," Toffees boss David Moyes told his club's official website.
"I am very disappointed to lose him but the prospect of Champions League football was something I wasn't able to offer him."
 |
|
| Yossi Benayoun has joined Arsenal on loan until the end of the season Photo: Reuters |
In another last-minute move, the Gunners signed Benayoun on a year-long loan from Chelsea.
Chelsea's willingness to allow Benayoun to move to Arsenal is a reflection that the Israeli was unlikely to be included in their squad for the Champions League group stage.
The midfielder, on international duty with Israel, tweeted: "I sign with Arsenal, very happy and excited about it, but now my head is only in the game against grecce on friday, thanks for the support."
 |
|
| New Arsenal signing Per Mertesacker has 75 caps for Germany Photo: Reuters |
Earlier on Wednesday, Arsenal were also finalising deals for Germany centre-half Mertesacker.
At 6ft 6 ins and with 75 international caps for Germany, Mertesacker will clearly bring a considerable presence to an Arsenal defense that has looked so fragile in recent seasons.
A £9 million deal was agreed with Werder Bremen and he has agreed a contract until 2015.
Mertesacker told the club's official website: "I had a great time at Werder Bremen and I'm grateful to the club.
"Moving to London enables me to fulfil a dream and a further step in my career.
"The Premier League has always represented a great challenge for me."
Related links:
Team
Personal
Also see:
