Arsenal Transfer News: Gunners Bid for Mikel Arteta, Plus Benayoun Loan Deal

Sky Sports are reporting that Arsenal have offered £10 million for Everton's Mikel Arteta. The player would fill the boots of departed midfielder Cesc Fabregas.

Everton are understood to have declined an offer of cash plus striker Nicklas Bendtner, so Arsenal have gone in for the full cash payment.

Arsenal have already added Park Chu-Young, Andre Santos and Per Mertesacker to the team, and it looks as though more are set to follow. Other names that have been linked with Arsenal are Yann M'Vila, Martin Marvin and Clint Dempsey. However, the only one that seems sure to go through is Mikel Arteta.

Each player would add valuable experience to the team, as none are below 25 years of age. The 8-2 loss seems to have finally hit Arsene Wenger in the right way. Let's hope it all pays off at the end of the season.

Also, fresh reports coming in from Sky Sports suggest that Arsenal are trying to bring in Yossi Benayoun on a loan deal from Chelsea.

"Breaking news: Yossi Benayoun is in talks with Arsenal over a potential loan move from Chelsea, Sky Sports sources understand. Stay with us for the full story."

My only question is, why leave it all this late?