It is the transfer deadline day and Arsenal's season hangs on the hinges, with many players being linked to the club to strengthen a depleted side.

Arsene Wenger has made huge strides capturing three players already in - Andre Santos, Park Chu-Young and Per Mertesacker (yet to be confirmed). As the deadline day progresses, more signings are expect, especially in midfield where Wenger is yet to replace the departed Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri.

However, in Santos, Wenger has a quality signing with 22 caps for Brazil and Champions League experience through Fenerbache.

Arsenal confirmed the signing, believed to be around the region of £6.2 million. Wenger told the club's website, Santos is a quality player, with the ability to both defend well and get forward and help with attacks. He has experience in the Champions League and for Brazil and has proven he can deliver at the highest level. We welcome Santos to the club and look forward to him having a big impact for us.

Santos said, I am delighted to have signed for Arsenal. It was one of my dreams to play for a major European football club and I have accomplished this. I am very happy to be part of this team.

All the Brazilians who came to this club spoke wonders about it and I am delighted to be part of the Arsenal family.

Despite the imminent signings, midfield remains a priority for Wenger. Rennes midfielder Yann M'Vila has been long pursued by Wenger, but he comes at an exorbitant rate. Arsenal has already had a £22 million bid reject for the player, as Rennes are holding out for a fee in excess of £30 million - an inflated price as sellers are well aware of Arsenal's millions in hand following their sales over the summer.

The same is the case with Borrussia Dortmund midfielder Mario Goetze, as the German side demand £40 million for the 19-year-old.

Arsenal are unlikely to follow up on Goetze, but a report in Goal.com suggest the Gunners are willing to go upto £25 million for M'Vila and are confident of coming to an agreement with Rennes before the window closes at 23:00 BST on Wednesday.

As a defensive midfielder, the 21-year-old offer some much-needed physical presence for Arsenal, and Wenger regards him as the principal target on deadline day. The report suggests that the French manager was in France on Tuesday to attempt to advance the deal and the Gunners are confident of signing him.

Another player linked to the Emirates is Napoli playmaker Marek Hamsik. Caughoffside.com suggests that Arsenal are ready to offer upto £25 million for the Slovakian playmaker, who is also a sizeable goal threat. However, Napoli are unlikely to sell their prized asset while the player himself seems settled in Italy. The Gunners have some persuading to do if they're to convince the 24-year-old to make the move to London.

Numerous other players continue to be linked to the Guners, including Chelsea trio of Alex, Yossi Benayoun and Florent Malouda. Everton duo of Marouane Fellaini and Mikel Arteta are also regarded as possibilities while Sochaux playmaker Marvin Martin looks a more plausible option.

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