Bacary Sagna is hoping he will be greeted by some new faces when he returns to Arsenal after the international break.

The French full-back is currently readying himself for Euro 2012 qualifying duty, but will be keeping a close eye on goings on at the Emirates.

The Gunners are expected to be busy on transfer deadline day, with Arsene Wenger desperate to bring in new recruits.

Sagna admits signings are needed, with Arsenal having seen their disjointed start to the season hit a new low on Sunday when they were hammered 8-2 at Manchester United.

Sagna missed that game with a fever that he has now shaken off, but is of the same opinion as many of those looking in when it comes to transfer business.
Punished

He told skysports.com: "I am feeling much better now than I was at the weekend.

"We had a torrid time on Sunday at Old Trafford, but it can happen when you are missing a lot of players through injury and suspension.

"We came up against a team that is in good form, that is playing with confidence and they punished us.

"The break has come at a good time for us and we have to regroup and show our talent in the future.

"I believe in our manager and the players and new signings will do us good."

Former heart of the infamous defence and cult hero Martin Keown has come out to defend former manager Arsene Wenger, but has stressed he is the right man for the job, but that he needs to rip it all up and start again after witnessing the clubs heaviest and could’ve been avoidable defeat if they and Wenger would’ve changed their stance and policy.

Writing in his Daily mail column Keown wrote:

“There is no magic wand to make everything OK in a few days,”
“Six of the 11 who beat Barcelona weren’t available against United because they’d either left, were injured or suspended”.
“Arsenal have to rip it all up and start again, but Wenger is, without doubt, the man for the job.”
“These kids in the Arsenal team are cutting their teeth in the biggest arena there is,” Keown continued. “Don’t underestimate the value of making your mistakes elsewhere, and coming back a wiser and more experienced player.”
“It would have been helpful to send Carl Jenkinson out on loan once the ‘Arsenalisation’ – the passing and technique – had been stitched into his game.”

Keown understand why Fabregas left to go back to his home town and whilst not happy they also saw Nasri leave the club, whilst other clubs were bust strengthening their clubs for the new season, and fears that they either spend wisely on experience or start to feel the wraith of the fans who have also seen a huge hike in their ticket prices making Arsenal the most expensive club to watch:

:“They [the fans] understood that Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri had to go, but they feel aggrieved that other clubs are managing to sign players, the fans are desperate for new faces – they want to embrace exciting new stars”
.  “The last time Arsenal spent big was in 2009 when they signed Andrey Arshavin for £16.5million. Before that you have to go back to 2000 and the £13m paid for Sylvain Wiltord.”

Keown also spoke on how he feels Scott Parker would’ve given the midfield the edge and Premier League experience that the club needs to play alongside new players such as Ramsey and Wilshere:

“Arsene Wenger won’t necessarily agree, because Parker doesn’t fit the Arsenal mould as he’s not especially technically gifted,”
“Arsenal don’t normally break from their policies but they haven’t lost 8-2 before, so maybe it’s time to try something different.”
“A new arrival creates a buzz of expectation and reinforces a belief that your team is equipped to compete.”
“A Scott Parker-type recruit would be good. He is someone Jack Wilshere would look up to as an England team-mate and he would help lift the younger man’ s performances.” .

Whilst acknowledging that Arsenal played with a young side, he also stated how Manchester United’s team were both the same in age, but showed a lot more composure and ability and experience, and that Wenger should be commended for blooding youngsters into the team but the mistakes they are making, is holding back the team.

Skysports.com understands Per Mertesacker has passed a medical and agreed personal terms with Arsenal.

The giant Werder Bremen centre-back is in London ahead of what is reportedly a £10million transfer on a three-year contract.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger turned his attention to Mertesacker, who has entered the final year of his contract in Germany, after deciding Bolton's Gary Cahill was too expensive.

The move comes in the wake of Sunday's 8-2 humiliation at Manchester United, which convinced Wenger of the need to strengthen his defence.

Mertesacker, 26, has already made 75 appearances for Germany and will therefore bring vast experience with him to Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal are also on the brink of signing Brazilian left-back Andre Santos in a £6m move from Fenerbahce ahead of Wednesday's transfer deadline.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Premier League club confirmed the signing of South Korea international striker Park Chu-young from Monaco.