Werder Bremen's German international defender Per Mertesacker is set to undergo a medical at Arsenal.

The 26-year-old centre-back is captain for the Bundesliga side and although he is on international duty has been allowed to travel to London.

Arsenal's pursuit of Mertesacker, who is 6ft 6in and has 75 caps for Germany, could end their interest in Bolton defender Gary Cahill.

But the Gunners are set to sign Brazilian left-back Andre Santos.

Mertesacker is in the last year of his contract at Bremen and the club are not in the Champions League or Europa League this season.

He was part of the German team which beat England 4-1 at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa last summer.

And he has been recalled to the squad to face Austria in their European Championship qualifier on Friday after a heel injury suffered at the end of last season.


FINALLY, after a number of seasons me saying Mertesacker would be a great addition to any of the top 6 clubs teams, Arsenal make a move for him. Without a doubt one of the tallest defenders in Europe, and solid as hell in the centre. He will give Arsenal at least some more rigidity about their back four and some advantage in the air when defending set pieces. The only thing is, he will need to be paired with someone with more pace.

I don't think that's all that good of a signing. He's big and should be able to help clear the ball on set plays into the box, but he is slow as molasses. I think the pace of the premier will catch him out and I hear he has had some injury problems as well.

You say that, but then Hangeland was a hit a couple of seasons ago, and I think Mertesacker is slightly faster than him, and certainly of better quality.

Surely he must be better than they already have?