Rivals may be preparing to get their Champions League campaigns underway but there was plenty to smile about on Tuesday for Arsenal’s squad at the annual squad photocall.
Unai Emery’s side are in fine form after three consecutive wins and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Co could barely contain their laughter at the shoot.
Midfielder Granit Xhaka, who scored against Newcastle at the weekend, was left in hysterics by team-mate Henrikh Mkhitaryan while summer arrival Matteo Guendouzi struggled to tame his hair in the wind.
Arsenal’s stars, including Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, were in fits of laughter during their annual team photocall on Tuesday
Injured France defender Laurant Koscielny gave a thumbs up as players posed in their home kits for the first half of the shoot
Boss Unai Emery managed to stay professional and avoid the jokes his players were sharing throughout the afternoon
The Arsenal first team squad 2018/19: Back Row L-R: Emile Smith Rowe, Eddie Nketiah, Joe WIllock, Bernd Leno, Petr Cech, Emiliano Martinez, Carl Jenkinson, Matteo Guendouzi, Ainsley Maitland-Niles. Middle Row L-R: Lucas Torreira, Sokratis, Konstantinos Mavropanos, Rob Holding, Danny Welbeck, Sead Kolasinac, Alex Iwobi, Mo Elneny, Stephan Lichtsteiner. Front Row L-R: Alex Lacazette, Shkodran Mustafi, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Mesut Ozil, Aaron Ramsey, Head Coach Unai Emery, Laurent Koscielny, Granit Xhaka, Nacho Monreal, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Hector Bellerin
As part of the afternoon shoot in St Albans, players posed for photographs in the club’s iconic red home shirt as well as club-tailored suits.
But keeping 28 players under control is a tough task for anyone and it quickly descended into chaos with England striker Danny Welbeck showing off his ‘Zoolander’ impression to team-mates.
The film starring Ben Stiller, who played Derek Zoolander, remains popular with people to this day trying to perfect the iconic ‘Blue Steel’ pose.
Striker Danny Welbeck left team-mates laughing after showing off his ‘Zoolander’ impression
As well as posing in kits, the players posed in club suits as Granit Xhaka burst into hysterics
German attacking ace Mesut Ozil cut a more relaxed figure in St Albans during the shoot
Arsenal’s European campaign commences on Thursday night at the Emirates as they welcome Ukrainian side FC Vorskla Poltava.
Emery has a strong record in the Europa League and Arsenal will be expected to easily navigate a group that includes Sporting Lisbon and Qarabag.
Rotation is likely with goalkeeper Bernd Leno arguably the biggest name to be pushing for a start ahead of No 1 choice Petr Cech.