Wenger’s late flurry in transfer market

German international Per Mertesacker could be the solution to Arsenal’s centre-back problem [GALLO/GETTY]

Arsenal strengthened their struggling squad on transfer deadline day by signing midfielders Mikel Arteta and Yossi Benayoun along with defenders Andre Santos and Per Mertesacker.

The urgency to spend some of the cash brought in from Barcelona for Cesc Fabregas and from Manchester City for Samir Nasri came after a dismal start to the season.

Just one point has been collected from Arsenal’s first three league matches, including an 8-2 rout by Manchester United on Sunday.

And manager Arsene Wenger abandoned his usual policy of signing emerging talent by capturing experienced players.

Arteta, the 29-year-old Spaniard who is leaving Everton after six years, signed a four-year Arsenal deal.

New teammate Jack Wilshere tweeted: “Brilliant signing! Welcome to Arteta! Great day all round.”

The 31-year-old Benayoun has joined on a season-long loan from Chelsea after missing six months of his debut season after rupturing his Achilles’ on international duty with Israel.

Arsenal have signed Brazil defender Andre Santos from Fenerbahce on a “long-term contract” and have competed a deal for Werder Bremen centre-back Per Mertesacker.

Wenger has agreed terms with Werder for Germany international Mertesacker, who will join for a reported fee of $13 million.

Wenger has been active in the final few days of the transfer window, signing South Korea captain Park Chu-Young from Monaco, the club where the Frenchman made his name as a manager, on Tuesday.

In other deadline day action, England midfielder Joe Cole, who failed to shine at Anfield following his free transfer from Chelsea in 2010, joined French champions Lille in a surprise season-long loan deal. But the Reds boosted their squad by resigning Craig Bellamy from Manchester City.  

Another Liverpool midfielder, Christian Poulsen, was also on the move to France as the Denmark international joined Evian on a one-year contract just over a season after arriving at Anfield. A last minute move also saw Chelsea sign Liverpool defender Raul Meireles.

After struggling with Liverpool Joe Cole travels to France to play season with Lille [GETTY]

Tottenham secured the services of West Ham’s Scott Parker on Wednesday for a fee of around $8 million. 

Spurs also announced that winger David Bentley will travel the other way joining West Ham on a season-long loan.

Premier League club Fulham signed Czech defender Zdenek Grygera from Juventus on a free transfer.

Grygera agreed a one-year deal with the Cottagers, with an option for a further year, after his contract with Italian side Juventus was terminated by mutual consent on Tuesday.

Stoke agreed a fee for strikers Cameron Jerome and Peter Crouch. 

QPR manager Neil Warnock, bolstered by the backing of new owner Tony Fernandes, was also busy in the transfer market. 

Warnock agreed a fee with Sunderland for defender Anton Ferdinand, while Manchester City winger Shaun Wright-Phillips is also on his way to Loftus Road. 

Man City completed perhaps the transfer window’s most unlikely signing completing a one year deal with former Manchester United player Owen Hargreaves who has struggled with injury over the last three seasons.