Per Mertesacker, Mikel Arteta key to Danny Welbeck deal?

Arsenal stars Per Mertesacker and Mikel Arteta reportedly convinced manager Arsene Wenger to sign Danny Welbeck from Manchester United.

The England international signed for the Gunners on transfer deadline day for around £16m.

According to the Daily Star, Mertesacker and Arteta met in Arsenal's gym on deadline day to discuss Welbeck, before urging Wenger to make a late move for the Red Devils striker.

The 23-year-old eventually made the switch in the early hours on September 1 after the Gunners applied for an extension from the Premier League to complete the deal.

Meanwhile, United legend Gary Neville slammed the decision to sell Welbeck.