Arsenal to Sign 19-Year-Old German Youngster - Report

Arsenal are close to signing German U21 International Matthias Ginter. The Metro believes the Gunners' are in advanced talks to sign the promising 19-year-old Bundesliga star, with SC Freiburg having accepted a £6m fee for the defensive midfielder.

If Ginter makes the move to north London, he will join French youngster Yaya Sanogo as the second new arrival at the Emirates. Unfortunately, Ginter is unlikely to excite Arsenal fans waiting for Arsene Wenger to spend some of the rumoured £70m he has in transfer fees and end an eight-season trophy drought.

The Metro believes Ginter is expected in London later this week, for a medical and discussion on personal terms. The news comes after Freiburg manager Christian Streich admitted he would be sorry to see the teen leave.

Sky Sports believes Arsenal have beaten a number of other clubs to Ginter, with both Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund tracking the player.

Meanwhile, Wenger believes his side were guilty of a poor second half in the pre-season friendly against Turkish giants Galatasaray. The Gunners were beaten 2-1 by the Turks on Sunday, in the final game of the 2013 Emirates Cup.

A brace from former Chelsea striker Didier Drogba gave Fatih Terim's side their first Emirates Trophy title. Theo Walcott scored late in the first half for the hosts.

"We had a contrasting performance. In the first we were in control, they didn't look dangerous... but we were not capable of maintaining that pace and that rhythm," Wenger told www.arsenal.com.

"In the second half we dropped. It's a long time since I've seen two such different halves. I believe we were not capable of keeping the ball and were punished. But it's good preparation," he added.

Arsenal play Manchester City on 10 August, at the Olympic Stadium in Helsinki. This will be the final game of their pre-season and they will open the 2013/14 Premier League campaign with the visit of Aston Villa on 17 August.

Arsenal's Champions League play-off draw has been scheduled for 20/21 August and 27/28 August.