Arsenal signs Park, Santos, Mertesacker, Benayoun and Arteta
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Arsenal complete signings of Benayoun and Arteta as transfer window slams shut
Gunner be ours: Mikel Arteta completed his move to Arsenal with minutes to spare
Arsenal completed a sensational last-gasp swoop for Mikel Arteta, shortly after announcing a loan deal for Yossi Benayoun, as the transfer window slammed shut.
The Gunners looked to have missed out on Arteta earlier on deadline day after Everton rejected a bid for their star midfielder.
But Arteta reportedly forced the issue and Arsenal looked to have reached an agreement with their Barclays Premier League rivals before the 11pm deadline, revealing they had signed the 29-year-old on a four-year contract.
The Gunners are said to have initially offered Nicklas Bendtner - who joined Sunderland on a season-long loan - in a part-exchange deal, something rejected out of hand by Everton.
They also reportedly snubbed a £10million cash offer until the player himself made his feelings clear.
Arteta's signing followed hot on the heels of that of Benayoun after the Chelsea midfielder signed a season-long loan deal at the Emirates Stadium.
That took Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger's deadline-day recruits to four after defenders Per Mertesacker and Andre Santos Put the finishing touches to their moves.
The signings will help appease fans following one of the club's worst starts to a season in recent memory, which culminated in Sunday's 8-2 humiliation at Manchester United.
Feeling Blue: Yossi Benayoun has made the temporary switch across London to Emirates
Arteta and Benayoun are arguably like-for-like replacements in terms of style to the departed Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri.
Israel captain Benayoun tweeted tonight before resuming international duty: 'I sign with Arsenal, very happy and excited about it, but now my head is only in the game against Greece on Friday, thanks for the support.'
Wenger earlier began to rebuild his shattered defence after it was confirmed Per Mertesacker and Andre Santos were joining the club.
Germany defender Mertesacker, who has 75 caps and joins from Werder Bremen for a reported £8million, was relishing the challenge.
The 26-year-old told the club's official website: '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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Shift in transfer policy from Arsenal after the 8-2 humiliation at Manchester United? Never seen such a group of over 25s joining them since the earlier 2000's...
Anyway, it might be a good thing for them and once those recover from injury and suspensions, gunners will be a team to watch... Go catch Liverpool Gooners...
Setting the trend: Per Mertesacker age 26 years old...
Andre Santos age 28 years old... -
Mikel Arteta takes pay cut to join Arsenal
PAY OFFER ... Mikel ArtetaMIKEL ARTETA forced through a dramatic last-gasp move to Arsenal by taking a PAY CUT.
Talks between the midfielder's advisors and the Gunners had collapsed after Everton accepted a £10million offer.
Then, just 90 minutes before the 11pm deadline, Arteta pushed to join Arsene Wenger's men by accepting a £10,000-a-week cut.
Goodison boss David Moyes said: "Mikel indicated to me he wished to join Arsenal.
"I'm 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 Yossi Benayoun on a year-long loan from Chelsea.
The midfielder, on international duty with Israel, told Twitter: "I sign with Arsenal, very happy and excited about it, thanks for the support."
New team-mate Jack Wilshere tweeted: "Massive signing! His quality and class is evident for everyone to see! Welcome Mr Benayoun."
As expected, Werder Bremen defender Per Mertesacker arrived at the Emirates for £9m and left-back Andre Santos sealed his £6m deal.
But the Gunners moved for Arteta after failing in a £12m bid for Sochaux winger Marvin Martin.
And when they agreed a deal with Everton, the Spaniard's agents demanded a four-year deal worth £80,000 a week.
The 29-year-old was on £70,000 a week but Arsenal were only prepared to offer £60,000 and it appeared the deal was dead.
But after they set up the Benayoun loan, Arteta said he would take a £500,000-a-year hit.
Wenger made enquiries for 20 players including Rennes ace Yann M'Vila but the Gunners chief would not up his £22m offer.
Arsenal were desperate for new faces in midfield after losing Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri.
