Arsenal likely to make do and mend

01 September 2014 16:31

Per Mertesacker remains confident Arsenal can regroup and kick on after the international break, but they may have to do so without any fresh faces to bolster their squad.

The Gunners drew 1-1 at Leicester on Sunday to at least maintain their unbeaten start to the new campaign, which also saw them overcome Besiktas and secure a place in the group stages of the Champions League.

Manager Arsene Wenger flew to Rome on Monday to take part in the 'Match for Peace', which aims to promote religious harmony, and it is understood the club may well have decided against pushing through any late transfer moves, with chief executive Ivan Gazidis and negotiator Dick Law on hand in London for any late moves.

There were no shortage of players being linked with the club.

Widely reported in-bound targets are, meanwhile, said to include Borussia Dortmund defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos, Swansea frontman Wilfried Bony and West Ham's Winston Reid, Matija Nastasic at Manchester City and Aston Villa's Ron Vlaar, Paris St Germain's Adrien Rabiot and also defensive midfielder William Carvalho of Sporting Lisbon.

Press Association Sport understands the club were approached about the possibility of bringing in Toronto FC's Jermain Defoe, the former Tottenham striker, on loan, but did not express an interest despite needing cover for injured forward Olivier Giroud, out until January with a broken foot.

It is expected 21-year-old Spanish defender Ignasi Miquel will complete a £1.5million switch to Norwich.

Should no new signings materialise over the closing hours of the transfer window, then Wenger will leave his faith in the players already assembled.

Centre-back Mertesacker, who retired from Germany duty after the World Cup, is confident the Gunners can move forwards this season, following five matches in the space of 16 days.

Speaking to Arsenal Player, he said: "We have to take this draw and after three games and five points, it is just okay for us to start like that.

"We went through to the Champions League group stage and had two away games so five points.

"I think we have to regroup and come back after the international break."

Arsenal have most of the first-team squad away over the next two weeks.

Midfielder Mesut Ozil has already been ruled out of Germany's friendly against Argentina because of an ankle injury.

Source: PA