Gunners eyeing German beanpole

Arsenal are set to shore up their shaky defence by making a bid for German World Cup star Per Mertersacker. According to reports, Gunners manager Arsene Wenger is tabling a £10m bid for the 25-year-old who currently plays for Bundesliga side Werder Bremen. Mertersacker, who is 1.96m’s tall, has long been watched by Arsenal. And with both William Gallas and Mikael Silvestre departing the club, and question marks over the future of Sol Campbell, the club feel it’s now right to go for the player. Mertersacker is one of three defenders the club are keen on. The others are £8.5m-rated Laurent Koscielny from French club Lorient, and Everton's Phil Jagielka who is valued at £10m.