Panic or bargains?

Deadline day brought an almost unprecedented number of new first team players to Arsenal. Others have left, primarily on loan.

As the formal deadline passed, manager Arsène Wenger had added André Santos, Per Mertesacker, Mikel Arteta and Yossi Benayoun to the squad. The ubiquitous "long term deals for undisclosed fees" is out on the website. Arteta, Santos and Mertesacker have signed permanent deals, while the Israeli forward joins on loan from Chelsea.

This strengthening on the very last day of the Silly Season is not typical of Wenger at all. Several papers have called it "panic" today. It can't really be judged until the signings have settled in and played. However, the fact that Arteta at 29 now has signed for four seasons does imply that Arsenal haven't held the upper hand throughout the negotiations.

Several sources say that Everton turned down a bid of Nicklas Bendtner plus cash, holding out for the lump sum of £10m. After having a quick think about it, Wenger looks to have agreed.

Bendtner joins Sunderland on loan instead. After stating and repeating all summer that he wanted to leave for a top club, he ends up in the middle of the Premier League table. The biggest downer for anyone leaving Arsenal since Sol Campbell "went abroad" to Portsmouth.

Meanwhile, Joel Campbell is sent on loan to Lorient in Ligue 1 after failing to gain a British work permit. The Costa Rican is joined by Gilles Sunu, who leaves Arsenal permanently to join Lorient, where he impressed on loan last season.

Henri Lansbury has gone back to the Championship on loan, signed by - of all people! - Sam Allardyce of West Ham.

The rumour page is updated now, even if arsenal.com is down and I haven't read a proper confirmation of Arteta's transfer. I choose to believe the Press Association and Sky Sports, however, both having their hands on Arsenal's official press release.

I'll post a summary of this Silly Season in a day or two. Then the blog will go in hibernation again... until the January window approaches.