Arsenal training pictures as pre-season begins, with Sead Kolasinac joining Theo Walcott and Danny Welbeck

 Arsenal players begun their pre-season training today as the likes of Theo Walcott, Danny Welbeck, Per Mertesacker and summer signing Sead Kolasinac got back to work.

The Gunners are regrouping for the first time since their FA Cup final triumph in May, which followed an ultimately disappointing season in which they finished fifth in the Premier League.

Arsene Wenger and co. will now be preparing for Europa League football in the season to come, with the notorious long-haul Thursday nights bound to take their toll at some point.

It’s essential that Arsenal get off to a good start in pre-season, and a number of senior players were back at Colney to get going.

If latest reports are to be believed, incoming signing Alexandre Lacazette is also said to be there, with an official announcement expected to be imminent.

These two hit the gym after a summer break

Mertesacker and Welbeck were key in Arsenal’s FA Cup final win

Arsenal players were put through their paces

Welbeck may have reason to worry about his first-team chances if Lacazette joins

Kieran Gibbs’ future has also been in some doubt this summer