It may have been a dramatic end to the January transfer window for Arsenal, but it's business as usual for the current squad who have been utilising the winter break in Dubai.
One player that won't be reporting for training is Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as he completed a Deadline Day move to Barcelona, but due to his recent exile from the squad, the Arsenal squad are used to his absence anyway.
Despite a strong finish to 2021, it's been a shambolic start to 2022 for Mikel Arteta's side as they have failed to win any of their matches, and have been knocked out of two cup competitions.
Therefore it's crucial that they get things right on the training pitch during the break, but they're using some questionable tactics.
Footage has emerged from Arsenal's training camp in Dubai where an unusual drill was taking place, as players ran from one end of the pitch to the other while being pelted with tennis balls.
It's unknown whether the new training drill is meant to keep focus, increase physicality, or whether it's just a bit of fun when winding down from a day's work, but it's certainly created some confusion amongst the Arsenal supporters.
The main thing though is that the Arsenal stars looked to be genuinely enjoying themselves, which is something that has been hard to do recently due to their start to 2022, with nothing but the Premier League to concentrate on between now and the end of the season.
The saga of Aubameyang has also now come to an end, and the Arsenal players can relax now that clarity has been issued following a lengthy battle between the Gabon international and Arteta.
The drill has also drawn comparisons to a questionable method that Unai Emery opted for when he took over from Arsene Wenger at Arsenal, as the squad were made to compete with huge inflatables when balls were whipped in to the box.
Arteta has been questioned at multiple stages during his managerial career at Arsenal, but he has come under the spotlight increasingly this season after they made their worst ever start to a top-flight campaign.
To give the Arsenal boss his credit, they did recover and were in a healthy position to battle for the top four until their form took another dip, but Arteta cannot afford to miss out on Europe again.
This is Arsenal's first season in 26 years without European football, and as they are out of all cup competitions, there is increasing pressure for Arteta to catapult them back into the top four at the very least.
With every other side around them in the Premier League still in other competitions, it should give Arsenal an edge, and Arteta will be be heavily questioned should he fail to lead his side to an acceptable finish again.
Arsenal are currently just two points off the top four, but Tottenham are breathing down their necks with a game in hand on the Gunners.
