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Germany international Per Mertesacker was allowed to leave his international camp to travel to England, and the Werder Bremen center back is reportedly close to signing with Arsenal.

Werder Bremen general manager Klaus Allofs told the Weser-Kurier newspaper on Tuesday that "everything is arranged between Werder and Arsenal."

Mertesacker will reportedly sign a four-year contract with Arsenal, according to Germany agency SID. He is in the final year of his contract with Bremen.

With 70 appearances for Germany, the 26-year-old experienced defender would be a boost for Arsenal, which has struggled early this season following the sales of Cesc Fabregas to Barcelona and Samir Nasri to Manchester City.