5 things noticed from Arsenal's 'Inside Training' session including Havertz role

12 July 2023 , 09:17

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5 things noticed from Arsenal's 'Inside Training' session including Havertz role

The majority of Arsenal's squad are now back in pre-season training and being put through their paces by boss Mikel Arteta under the hot summer sun.

The Gunners currently find themselves in Germany as they gear up for their first friendly of the summer against FC Nurnberg. It is a clash that will provide Arsenal fans with the chance to get a first glimpse of at least one of their new signings in Kai Havertz, while also handing the usual suspects an opportunity to get more minutes in the legs.

Arsenal's social media team are also busy working away, having produced the first 'inside training' video of the new season. Mirror Football has identified a number of things fans can take from the video as we get a first look at some of Arteta's plans for the upcoming season.

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Tomiyasu's new role

Takehiro Tomiyasu has spent time training as a left-back this pre-season

Takehiro Tomiyasu is a right-back by nature but has often been deployed at left-back when circumstances have dictated it was required.

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However, he could be featuring there a lot more regularly if this video is anything to go by. Perhaps with the Japan international's sensational performance at left-back against Liverpool last term in mind, the Arsenal boss is seemingly keen on seeing more from Tomiyasu in that position.

There is no footage of first-choice left-back Zinchenko in the video, but instead, it shows Tomiyasu occupying the left side of the defence and earning the praise of his manager in the process.

A first look at Havertz

Kai Havertz looked sharp in Arsenal training

Fans were offered their first glimpse of the German international in the video and the sight of the former Chelsea man with the cannon on his chest still takes some getting used to.

There is still debate among the Arsenal faithful as to where Arteta will look to use Havertz, given he was deployed as a false nine for much of last term while in west London.

However, there is a growing belief the 24-year-old could be used as a Granit Xhaka replacement in the heart of Arsenal's midfield alongside club captain Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice, whose move is expected to be announced imminently.

Arteta's still got it

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta can still hold his own with a ball at his feet

While last season went a long way to showing the doubters Arteta can hold his own in elite-level management, he hasn't lost an ounce of the technical ability that made him such a talented player.

Early on in the video, the Arsenal manager can be seen playing a game of no bounce with his staff and skipper Odegaard.

A midfielder himself back in the day, the Gunners boss showed some swanky skill and deft touches as he went toe-to-toe with one of the league's most gifted technicians in Odegaard.

Vieira's gaffe

Fabio Vieira was the subject of a Mikel Arteta outburst

Fabio Vieira has struggled at Arsenal since arriving for a £35m fee last summer and will need a huge improvement this term to convince the swathe of Gunners fans still questioning whether he was worth such a fee.

However, his pre-season hasn't exactly hit the ground running as this video shows. After playing a poor pass into the feet of a young academy player and putting them into trouble, Arteta barked an order in the direction of Vieira to ensure he learns from the mistake.

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While Arteta has waxed lyrical about the former Porto playmaker in public, it's clear that on the training ground, he is not afraid to discipline Vieira.

Team Spirit

Jorginho and Kai Havertz were all smiles during pre-season

This looks like the happiest a crop of Arsenal players have been for quite some time and what is even more striking is the way newer faces have slotted in seamlessly.

Havertz is already all smiles, laughing and joking with the likes of Reiss Nelson, Mohamed Elneny and former Chelsea team-mate Jorginho. This certainly bodes well for Arteta and his Arsenal ambitions next season.

Josh O'Brien