While Arsenal fans eagerly await confirmation of their next two major signings, their headline arrival of the summer transfer window so far is now back from holiday and completed his first day of pre-season training this weekend.
With Declan Rice and Jurrien Timber having gone through their respective medicals, Kai Havertz was present at London Colney on Saturday following his post-season break in Spain, being put through his paces for the first time as a Gunners player after completing his high-profile £65million switch from London rivals Chelsea last month.
The versatile German international, whom Mikel Arteta apparently envisages playing in both attack and midfield at the Emirates Stadium next term, clearly trained hard in the teeming Hertfordshire rain and could be seen quickly reacquainting with former Chelsea team-mate and friend Jorginho as the duo went to work both in the gym and on the outside pitches.
Having only just returned from his break, Havertz was not involved as a number of his new team-mates drew 1-1 in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Championship side Watford on Saturday, with Brazilian winger Marquinhos on the scoresheet for the Gunners.
Ismael Kone had initially put Watford ahead in a game that also featured the likes of Gabriel Jesus, Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Magalhaes, Ben White and Rob Holding. Eddie Nketiah and Reiss Nelson were among the other players involved, as were talented youngsters Arthur Okonwo, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Amario Cozier-Duberry.
Arsenal continue preparations for what they hope will be another Premier League title challenge next season with a friendly against German second-tier outfit Nurnberg on July 13 at the Max-Morlock-Stadion.
Arteta’s squad - which by then will surely include both Rice and Timber - are then due to fly out for their pre-season tour of the United States, where they are due to face an MLS All-Star XI as well as Manchester United and Barcelona.
Arsenal then return home for a midweek Emirates Cup clash with Monaco that comes just four days before their Community Shield showdown with Manchester City at Wembley.
They begin the new top-flight campaign with a home match against Nottingham Forest on August 12.
Scroll through the gallery above to see all the latest pictures from Kai Havertz’s first day of Arsenal training!
