ARSENAL TRANSFER NEWS: Gervinho, Cahill, Samba, Viviano, and Arshavin

Arsenal continue their search for an upgrade at central defender and forward, and it appears that the wait might be coming to an end for at least one spot.

Lille forward Gervinho is expected to be on his way to the Emirates. The Ivory Coast star is taking a medical test in London, and should be a member of Arsenal for a £11.2 million transfer fee, and on a four-year contract.

The Gervinho arrival is big news for the Gunners who desperately needed a signing after so much discussion about the possible move of midfielders Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri.

Meanwhile, the waiting game continues for Gary Cahill, the Bolton centre half who had appeared to be a lock to join Arsenal in the last few weeks.

Chelsea and Tottenham continue to pursue Cahill as well, but Arsenal have other options in Chris Samba of Blackburn, who seems to be the target of the Gunners and no other team. Speculation has not subsided that Scott Dann could join Arsenal, and the consensus transfer fee is roughly £15 million.

The imminent arrival of Gervinho, along with a centre back in Cahill or Samba or another option could reverse the struggles of Arsene Wenger to hold together a team that looked like it was falling apart with the departure of Gael Clichy, and a questionable midfield if Fabregas and Nasri do indeed leave the club.

As for players that are potentially on their way out of the Emirates, The Times and The Sun recently reported that Andrey Arshavin has drawn interest from Galatasary. Arsenal would receive £13.5 million for the Russian attacking midfielder, according to The Times. That might be the deal of the summer for Wenger, who has consistently shown an interest in acquiring younger players, and since Arshavin turned 30 in late May and after some struggles last season.

Zenit St. Petersburg had shown interest in Arshavin in recent months, and the asking price was £7 million, so possibly receiving twice as much would be a major score for Arsenal.

Young winger Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain continues to be on Wenger's radar with reports that he could join Arsenal as early as this week. Manchester United and Liverpool have shown interest in the 17-year-old, but Arsenal appear to be the front runners.

There has been little talk of an upgrade at goalkeeper, a contentious position for Arsenal in the 2010-2011 season. Emiliano Viviano, the backup to Julio Cesar at Inter, might be on Arsenal's wish list as the club looks to part ways with backup Manuel Almunia.