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Arsene Wenger has identified Lars Bender as his No1 summer target to strengthen Arsenal’s midfield.

Manager Wenger wants a midfield general to strengthen the Gunners' squad and sees the Bayer Leverkusen anchorman as the ideal fit.

Bender, 24, would further increase Arsenal’s German influence, with his international team-mates Mesut Ozil, Per Mertesacker, Lukas Podolski and Serge Gnabry already at the club.

More importantly, Wenger believes Bender would add physical presence and technical ability to his midfield, giving the defence more protection.

Arsenal went for the player last summer too, but couldn’t persuade Leverkusen to sell.

They are focusing on him after seeing their other midfield target, Ilkay Gundogan, sign a new contract at Borussia Dortmund two weeks ago.

Arsenal believe they may have to pay up to £20m to get Bender, who could be an ideal replacement for Mikel Arteta. The 32-year-old Spaniard also has just one year left on his contract.

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Wenger is also in the market for a striker with Bayern Munich’s Mario Mandzukic on their radar. They may go back for Loic Remy, having backed out of a deal last summer when he joined Newcastle on a season's loan from QPR.

With Nicklas Bendtner set to go from a strike-force that has relied too heavily on Olivier Giroud this season, they will need more than one addition up front.

Arsenal will also need a new goalkeeper and right-back, with Wojciech Szczesny's No.2 Lukasz Fabianski and France international defender Bacary Sagna almost certain to leave on free transfers.

They like Southampton defender Calum Chambers and it is claimed they want Leicester keeper Kasper Schmeichel, who is out of contract this summer.