Arsenal eye another move for Leverkusen midfielder Bender after failed bid last summer

By Sami Mokbel for the Daily Mail

Published: 18:35 EDT, 24 March 2014 | Updated: 18:40 EDT, 24 March 2014

Arsenal are preparing to make another bid for Bayer Leverkusen's Lars Bender after failing to sign the midfielder last summer.

Arsene Wenger and his backroom team have been hugely impressed with the German international for over a year and see him as the ideal physical presence to allow their attacking midfielders to perform.

The Gunners failed with a bid of around £19million for Bender last summer but Wenger is refusing to give up on bringing the talented 24-year-old to the Emirates.

Wanted man: Arsenal are hoping to sign Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Lars Bender (top) this summer

Heads up: Bender (right) has impressed Arsenal scouts in Germany for over a year

Forward planning: Arsene Wenger is hoping to revamp his squad when the summer transfer window opens

Arsenal have upgraded their scouting network in Germany over the last 18 months, with chief scout Steve Rowley having watched a large number of Bundesliga fixtures last season.

Bender, whose twin brother Sven plays for Borussia Dortmund, has caught the eye and is seen as a long-term replacement for Mikel Arteta.

The former Everton man turns 32 on Wednesday and Wenger is keen on signing a younger midfielder to take his place next season.

Wenger views Bender as a box-to-box player, equally capable of doing the dirty work in midfield and playing Arsenal's trademark style of football.

Arsenal are also keen on Dortmund midfielder Ilkay Gundogan, 23, but there is a feeling that Bender will be easier to land.

Gunners scouts are also watching Southampton's Morgan Schneiderlin, with Wenger known to be a long-term admirer of the Frenchman.

Getting on: Wenger sees Bender as a replacement for Mikel Arteta (right), who turns 32 this week

Enforcer: Bender (right) tussles with Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery (left) during a Bundesliga clash

Option: Wenger is also keeping tabs on Southampton midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin (right)