Arsenal Transfer News: 5 Alternatives to Gary Cahill on Deadline Day

Arsene Wenger is going through the most frantic deadline of his career. Arsenal ended their hunt for Gary Cahill, but these next few players will make Gunners supporters forget all about him.

Wenger was laughed off last week in his bid for Bolton star defender, Gary Cahill. The price tag has scared off the desperate Gunners boss, leaving him to look elsewhere for defense and star power. 

There are two criteria that we are using here as the deadline descends upon us. There are only a few hours left for Wenger to fill this side with top-tier talent. 

With that in mind, we are only targeting players that are feasible for Wenger to bring in. You won't see an absurd rumour like the one we saw last week in the form of Kaka. 

We also have our eye on more than just central defenders. Cahill would have offered both a name and talent that would have ignited the passion of fans.  

CBS is reporting that Wenger has brought in both Andre Santos and Per Mertesacker. So unless there is a marvelous player, he may very well be done taking care of the backline. 

There are rumblings that the defense can still be bolstered, but this club really needs a star player to invoke what Wenger does best, offense. We will be sure to offer up a couple of solutions for the attack.  

What is so great about Cahill is his ability to drive the ball down the pitch, and be a live foot from outside the box. Some of these next players would give you exactly that. 

With just hours to go, Wenger will be looking at one or all of these players to make Arsenal a power once again. The fate of Arsenal, and the head of Arsene Wenger, are very much in play as the clock continues to move towards the deadline. 

5. Yossi Benayoun

Arsenal needs the ball to get forward. In early-season play, the Gunners have looked dreadful in their attack. Word is they are putting all their attention on Yossi Benayoun at the moment. 

SkySports have the Israeli International, who plays for Chelsea, getting love from former club Liverpool, as well as Arsenal. 

As Andrey Arshavin and Tomas Rosicky suffer from a dismal star, something must be done to ignite a stagnant offense. Benayoun would be a step in the right direction. 

With his brittle Achilles, I am not sure it is a big step. 

4. Mamadou Sakho

Arsene Wenger needs to look to his home country for the alternative that is intelligent, and in keeping with Wenger's past measure transfer approach. 

PSG skipper, Mamadou Sakho, was targeted by Arsenal last year, and he should be so again this season. The one hiccup is a thigh injury that may keep Sakho from being healthy enough to make the transfer window. 

Sakho would blend in perfectly with the backline at Emirates. There would be far less balls breaching the line as they have in the past couple weeks. 

3. Mikel Arteta

Arsenal fans were filled with hope when they woke to the shocking news that Arsene Wenger was targeting Mikel Arteta. 

SkySports reports Wenger offered  £10million, possibly with the addition of Nicklas Bendnter as well. The offer has so far been spurned leaving Wenger back to the drawing board. 

Arteta would be the perfect player to bring passion back to Emirates. He is a smart player that would lead the Arsenal attack in a dignified manner. He is no Cesc Fabregas, but he is as close as you can come near the deadline. 

This is a signing that would have supporters back on Wenger's side. 

2. Alex

While Arsenal is busy picking off Chelsea, they would do well to target their efforts on Blues defender, Alex. 

The Blues have no issue in moving the defender, but I am unconvinced they would help save Arsenal from the doldrums. At least not for an inexpensive price tag. 

Cahill is fantastic at tackling and winning balls in the air. Alex would be the most obvious choice to fill in at centre-back for Arsenal as the Cahill rumours die down. 

1. Christopher Samba

Christopher Samba was the Blackburn Rovers skipper until he expressed his willingness to leave. His heart would feel very much comfortable with Arsenal. 

The defender never met a ball he didn't like. He is a fantastic tackler and just plain wins balls. In the air and on the ground, Samba owns possession when he is on a hot streak. 

The defender just wants to play Champions League football, and Arsenal want a star defender. This is a match made in Gunners' heaven.