Arsenal sign Mikel Arteta, Yossi Benayoun, Andre Santos, Per Mertesacker and Chu-Young Park

Shopping spree for Gunners, as Spurs get Scott Parker and keep Luka Modric

Published: September 1, 2011
by STEVE BARNETT

A FRANTIC climax to transfer deadline day last night (Wednesday) saw Arsenal snap up Mikel Arteta from Everton, while Tottenham said they turned down a £40million bid from Chelsea for Luka Modric.

Both north London clubs made last-ditch moves to strengthen their squads as the summer transfer window slammed shut.

Despite leaving it late, the Gunners secured one of the signings of the summer as they completed a £10million move for 29-year-old Spanish playmaker Arteta.

Arsenal were unusually busy in the transfer market as they also signed midfielder Yossi Benayoun, 31, on a season-long loan from Chelsea.

The spending continued as Arsene Wenger brought in two experienced defenders. Brazilian left-back Andre Santos, 28, joined from Turkish side Fenerbahçe in a deal worth £6.2million. And German giant Per Mertesacker, 26, also signed on the dotted line from Werder Bremen, with Arsenal reportedly spending up to £10million for the 6ft 6in centre-back.

Just 24 hours earlier the Gunners added to their attack by signing Chu-Young Park. The South Korean captain, 26, cost over £3 million, and instantly promised supporters that he will give his all for the club. “I will do my best, I will never give up, I will show heart, I will give everything and I hope the fans will support me,” he told the club website.

Park’s arrival cleared the way for Danish striker Nicklas Bendtner to join Sunderland on a season-long loan.

Meanwhile it emerged rivals Tottenham turned down yet another bid from Chelsea for Modric, this time a
staggering offer of £40million.

The bid was turned down, meaning Modric will now join forces in the Spurs midfield with Scott Parker, 30, after the England international joined from West Ham in a deal worth £5million.

There was disappointment for Spurs fans as they missed out on Bolton defender Gary Cahill. As soon as the Cahill deal fell through Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp had to scrap plans to sell Sebastien Bassong to Queens Park Rangers. 

Most of the action surrounding White Hart Lane was about the players leaving the club. Peter Crouch and Wilson Palacios moved to Stoke while Jermaine Jenas and Alan Hutton joined Aston Villa.

Among the other transfers saw Spurs midfielder David Bentley and Arsenal’s Henri Lansbury both join West Ham in season-long loans.