Five things spotted in Arsenal pre-season training amid brilliant Max Dowman embrace

Mikel Arteta put his Arsenal players through their paces on the first day of pre-season at the Sobha Realty Training Centre. The Spaniard had the opportunity to work with a few new faces for the first time, while also taking a look at those who have returned from loan.

In just under two weeks, Arsenal will jet off to Singapore to play their first game of the summer. The Gunners will face AC Milan on July 23 before locking horns with Newcastle United four days later.

Then, on July 31, Arsenal will take on Tottenham Hotspur at the Kai Tak Sports Park in Hong Kong. Before Arteta's side play Manchester United on the opening day of the new Premier League season, the Emirates Stadium will host a couple of friendlies.

The north London outfit will finalise their preparations against Villarreal and Athletic Club on August 6 and August 9 respectively. Over the next month or so, players will be looking to impress the Spaniard and cement a place in his starting lineup.

So, with that being said, football.london has spotted five things that you might have missed from the first day back at the Sobha Realty Training Centre.

Arsenal leadership group embrace wonderkid

Max Dowman could be a regular in the Arsenal squad this season. The 15-year-old midfielder, who was often spotted in first-team training last term, returned to London Colney alongside the likes of Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka.

Donning the number 56 on his sportswear, Dowman was quickly welcomed back into Arteta's squad. The aforementioned trio, who have each captained the Gunners in the past, were spotted embracing the teenager before they stepped out onto the turf.

Back in May, Arteta hinted at what the future holds for Dowman. Speaking to reporters, the Arsenal boss said: "I think Max, probably, will be in and around the pre-season.

"Obviously, he’s got a very busy schedule as well in the summer, because he is in a tournament at the moment, and he’s going to need some rest. And we will pick another few from the academy as well to be in and around the team and hopefully get a nice, beautiful surprise again."

Zubimendi and Merino reunite

Martin Zubimendi and Mikel Merino were all smiles as they reunited the Sobha Realty Training Centre. Arteta will be hoping that the duo, who have already played together 169 times for Real Sociedad and Spain, can continue their incredible relationship on the pitch for Arsenal.

Forgotten Arsenal duo return

Reiss Nelson and Albert Sambi Lokonga were back in action for Arsenal following their respective loan spells last season. The former had enjoyed a promising start at Fulham before suffering a hamstring injury in December, which ruled him out for the remainder of the campaign.

Meanwhile, the latter was at Sevilla, who escaped relegation from the Spanish top-flight by just a point. Lokonga's time in La Liga was also regularly hampered by injury, so Arteta will be determined to keep the duo fit this summer.

Martinelli has Lewis-Skelly in tears

While out on the grass, Gabriel Martinelli had Myles Lewis-Skelly in stitches. The Arsenal winger appeared to make a joke, which prompted laughs from Rice and Riccardo Calafiori too.

Heinze makes London Colney debut

Gabriel Heinze made his so-called debut as part of Arteta's coaching staff on Wednesday. The former Arsenal and United defender has replaced Carlos Cuesta, who was headhunted by Parma in their search for a new head coach.

Heinze, who played with Arteta at Paris Saint-Germain during the 2001/02 season, previously enjoyed managerial roles at Godoy Cruz and Newell's Old Boys in the Argentine top-flight as well as Atlanta United in the MLS.

Speaking to reporters about a year or so ago, the Arsenal boss recalled his time in the French capital. Arteta said: "The other inspirations were (Mauricio) Pochettino and Heinze.

"Those two were next to me all the time, behind me, and they were guiding me in everything I had to do in my professional life, how I had to understand the game and they were inspirational to me."

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