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 £19 million for Bender last summer but Wenger is refusing to give up on bringing the talented 24-year-old to the Emirates.
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.
Written by Steve Milne
