ARSENAL TRANSFER NEWS: Zarate, Albiol, Santon, and Periera

The countdown for Arsenal begins until the August 31st transfer deadline.

Only five more days for Arsene Wenger to deliver on additions to the club after the losses of Cesc Fabregas, Samir Nasri, Gael Clichy, and Emmanuel Eboue. Wenger may consider the market weak, and may not want to be pressured into a bad deal when clubs know that Arsenal are sitting on a hefty war chest.

The new names to pop up aren't playmakers. However, Arsenal need more than just replacements for Fabregas and Nasri, as centre back was the primary concern going into the offseason, and two full backs who played major minutes last season have departed.

Wenger is showing interest in Raul Albiol, according to Metro. The Real Madrid centre back has fallen out of favour with Jose Mourinho, so it's possible that Arsenal can swoop in and make a deal for the 25-year-old. Albiol might be an ideal fit considering Arsenal still probably need a holding midfielder, as Emmanuel Frimpong is still somewhat untested.

Earlier this summer, Arsenal put a bid on Everton's versatile Phil Jagielka, but Everton rejected the offer. Albiol might be a less expensive option than Jagielka, and could serve as Alex Song's primary back-up, as well as a play alongside Thomas Vermaelen.

Another holding midfielder that is generating interest from Arsenal is Danilo Periera, based on a report by Talk Sport. The Parma midfielder has drawn comparisons to Patrick Viera, so that might propel him to the top of Wenger's targets. However, at age 19, Arsenal perhaps could use a little more experience at the position than Periera, considering the midfield already has youngsters Aaron Ramsey, Jack Wilshere, and promising Japanese playmaker Ryo Miyaichi.

The Gunners have joined Manchester City, Newcastle United, and Liverpool in the pursuit of Davide Santon, according to Daily Mail. The Inter Milan full back is only 20, but has shown a great deal of potential, and already has seven caps for Italy. With Clichy and Eboue gone, and Kieran Gibbs injury prone, Santon could see considerable playing time. The attacking defender is considered among the best young defensive players in Serie A.

Though Arsenal added Gervinho this season, as well as up-and-coming forwards Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Joel Campbell, there remains a need for another striker. Mauro Zarate, who has become a solid presence at Lazio, remains an Arsenal target, based on reports by Daily Mail and Fanatix. Inter is also in pursuit of the Argentine forward, who scored 25 goals in 103 appearances for Lazio.

After advancing to group play in Champions League this week, Arsenal have more money and more reason to spend in the dying days of the summer transfer period.

Many fans continue to call for creative midfielders, but there may not be many options that Wenger is enthusiastic about. Juan Mata was recently added to Chelsea, and Lille have stated that Eden Hazard isn't available.

It will be interesting to see if the final days to bolster the squad are fruitful, or if this current group of players is what Wenger will rely on until January.