Arsenal stars Jack Wilshere, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Santi Cazorla get pumped up ahead of club's pre-season USA tour

  • Arsenal players take part in pre-season training ahead of USA tour
  • Jack Wilshere, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Santi Cazorla work out with weights during Wednesday's session
  • Arsenal fly to America to play a friendly against the New York Red Bulls

Pre-season training is all about building up strength for the gruelling campaign ahead, and Arsenal have wasted no time in getting ship-shape.


Gunners stars including Jack Wilshere, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Santi Cazorla were all pumping the iron in strenous excercises at the Gunners' London Colney base.

Arsene Wenger was on hand to put his side through their paces as the likes of Aaron Ramsey, Tomas Rosicky and Kieran Gibbs got ready for the new season.

VIDEO Scroll down to watch Wenger say he is not deeply concerned about Wilshere

Working out: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain works on his strength and fitness during Arsenal training

Working out: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain works on his strength and fitness during Arsenal training

Looking good: Jack Wilshere is determined to have an injury-free season for once
Up for it: Santi Cazorla also took part in the exercise at the club's London Colney training base

Heavy lifting: Jack Wilshere (left) and Santi Cazorla (right) also took part in the training exercise

Arsenal kicked off their pre-season schedule with a 2-0 win at Boreham Wood on Sunday before Saturday sees them start their USA tour with a match against Gunners legend Thierry Henry's New York Red Bulls.

Ahead of their tour, Wenger said he can't wait to play in a country where the World Cup was so widely embraced.

'It is the first time since I [started to] go to World Cups that I've been stopped by so many American people,' he told Arsenal's official club website.

Young gun: As well as weight training Oxlade-Chamberlain (left) was able to show off his ball skills in practice

Young gun: As well as weight training Oxlade-Chamberlain (left) was able to show off his ball skills in practice

Decision maker: Arsene Wenger (left) will have a lot of choices to make in midfield including Wilshere (right)

Decision maker: Arsene Wenger (left) will have a lot of choices to make in midfield including Wilshere (right)

Changing of the guard? Mikel Arteta (left) and Gedion Zelalem (right) battle for the ball on Wednesday

Changing of the guard? Mikel Arteta (left) and Gedion Zelalem (right) battle for the ball on Wednesday

VIDEO One trophy not enough - Arteta  

Starters? Mathieu Flamini, Tomas Rosicky and Aaron Ramsey (left-right) will battle to be in Arsenal's midfield

Starters? Mathieu Flamini, Tomas Rosicky and Aaron Ramsey (left-right) will battle to be in Arsenal's midfield

'I can tell you something I'm completely convinced of - before people didn't know who you were, but now every American guy I met knows Arsenal, knows England and knows the Premier League.

'The enthusiasm about soccer in the States is new but big. I expect us to have a good crowd there.

'I hope that we can help to develop the interest in the game and that we can play a good match there to make people enjoy it.

'It is the perfect time to go. I always wanted to go with Arsenal to the United States, so I'm personally very happy to do it.'

Sitting pretty: Wilshere takes a break from training at London Colney on Wedneaday

Sitting pretty: Wilshere takes a break from training at London Colney on Wedneaday