MIKEL: WE’RE GUNNA BE IN GOOD SHAPE

ARSENAL vice-captain Mikel Arteta insists the Gunners are in good shape, despite the loss of star striker Robin van Persie and midfield enforcer Alex Song.

Cameroon star Song followed Van Persie out of the Emirates this week when he signed a £15million five-year deal with Barcelona.

Arsenal are expected to bring in some new faces ahead of the transfer deadline – a loan move for Turkish i nternational Nuri Sahin is on the agenda if terms with Real Madrid can be agreed.

The club are also said to still be monitoring long-term target Yann M’Vila at Rennes, who are holding out for £17m.

Arteta believes the summer additions of Olivier Giroud, Lukas Podolski and Santi Cazorla, who particularly impressed in midfield on his debut in the goalless draw with Sunderland, mean the Gunners are already well stocked for the battles ahead.

“We are looking good. We looked organised on Saturday, but in the final third we didn’t take the chances we should have done,” Arteta said.

“It will take a while because there have been new players coming in.

“We have lost some important players too, so we will need some time.

“We know that our new players can make the difference.

“We will have to give them a chance to settle into a new place.”

Arteta linked up well with Cazorla and Abou Diaby, back from an injury lay-off, in a midfield which was without its usual anchor.

The 30-year-old added: “Last year, Alex was a terrific player, but if he and the club decided it’s best for him to leave, we have to accept it.

“We are good enough to carry on without him.”

Rennes director Pierre Dreossi expects M’Vila’s future to be resolved one way or another very soon.

He said: “I think that it can be settled by the end of this week.”