Arsenal Transfer News - Gervinho capture confirmed, Nasri, Fabregas can be convinced to stay

Arsenal have confirmed their first major signing of the season with Lille striker Gervinho making the move to the Emirates.

The Ivory Coast striker scored 15 goals last season, helping Lille triumph with the French league and Cup double. Arsenal have been linked to him ever since the transfer window opened.

The Gunners manager Arsene Wenger, who is currently with his team on a pre-season tour of the Far East, confirmed his signing and said, Gervinho has joined. He had a medical on Thursday.

We sent him home for a couple of days because he has a family and children. He did not come (on tour) because he has not had a (training) session yet.

Gervinho choice was always Arsenal and he had recently told France Football magazine: I chose Arsenal because it's a young group within which I will be able to integrate easily.

I had no hesitation. None. But in a transfer there's always a period of analysis and negotiations.

All sides had to be satisfied so that things could develop smoothly. I'm going there to play, not to be on the bench. Arsenal love the game and I love teams that love the game.

The Premier League is a notch above. It's maybe the best league in the world. I want to live that sensation.

This is Arsenal's second signing of the season, after buying 19-year-old Carl Jenkinsson from Charlton Atheltic.

Meanwhile, Wenger went on to express his confidence that he can convince both Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri to stay, during a press conference in Kuala Lumpur.

Our position is always the same - we want to keep Cesc and I will fight as hard as I can to keep him. Samir Nasri is exactly the same. We will do everything we can to keep him, said Wenger. I'm confident we can get both of them to stay.

I expect Samir to stay, Wenger added. There is always speculation, but he is committed to the club right now.''

And on Fabregas, Wenger went on. We know that this story for Barcelona has gone on for years now, we have to close that and focus on the season, hopefully with Cesc Fábregas.

He then stated he wouldn't disclose what was discussed with Fabregas in private. I never speak on matters that happen behind closed doors. I have given the media enough headlines and I don't want to add any more.