Arsenal have released their traditional team photo for the 2022/23 season.
Mikel Arteta's men took their positions for their shoot at the club's London Colney training ground, rather than the Emirates, with spirits high after an outstanding start to the season, having won seven of their eight Premier League games thus far.
All in, 24 Gunners have been included in the latest snap with Arteta smack bang in the middle as he hopes that the squad surrounding him can continue to defy expectations. The North Londoners are in excellent shape having dismissed of fierce rivals Tottenham Hotspur in their latest outing.
Here are a few things Mirror Sport noticed from the Gunners' latest photo call:
Xhaka back in the good books
Traditionally, the team captain is stationed somewhere near the manager in a team photo and that is no different this time around with Martin Odegaard sitting right next to Arteta.
The man on Arteta's other side however is perhaps something of a surprise: Granit Xhaka.
The Swiss infamously saw himself stripped of the captaincy following an incident with Arsenal fans three years ago but now appears to be firmly back in the good books. He sparkled during the recent North London derby victory and has been entrusted with the captaincy on a few occasions already this season.
His prominent presence in the team photo is certainly evidence of that. He has been a leader in the dressing room for some time, even during his more difficult moments, but has now found public favour also.
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Saliba’s giant presence
Looking at the image, it would certainly be difficult to not notice French defender William Saliba. Stationed slap bang in the centre, he is among the tallest players in the entire squad.
His strapping presence has not just been limited to the Gunners’ official photo either, with Saliba having been one of the star performers this season, following his return from a loan spell with Ligue 1 side Marseille.
Rob Holding’s new do
From one centre-back to another now, Rob Holding has certainly headed (quite literally) into the new season with a slightly different look.
Before the 2021/22 season, the English defender did not have that much hair on his head but in this season’s offering, he can boast some glorious locks which no doubt he will have been wanting to show off on the latest official team photo.
Jesus’s iconic smile nowhere to be seen
Whilst Holding’s hair will have left him with a big grin on his face, the same cannot quite be said of Brazilian forward Gabriel Jesus.
Since swapping Man City for Arsenal, he has been full of grins due to his impressive goalscoring start at the Emirates Stadium. However, he adopted a slightly different look this time around with a scowl directed straight at the camera.
Arsenal fans will no doubt be hoping that Jesus’ smile is back on his face sooner rather than later.
Saka goes traditional
Academy graduate Bukayo Saka will certainly be in the good books of the football traditionalists after the Gunners’ photo was released. Sitting on the front row, the England man was pictured donning a pair of all black boots.
That was in huge contrast to the vast majority of his teammates, a lot of them choosing to wear neon green, orange and yellow boots. Whether Saka’s choice is by his own doing or due to a lack of a boot sponsorship deal remains to be seen.
Cedric’s rogue collar
Speaking of kit, Portuguese right-back Cedric was the only one not to fit in with the rest of his teammates.
The rest of the Arsenal squad were standing with their kits smartly pressed and buttoned up. Cedric though decided to leave the collar of his shirt undone. Fortunately, the view of his shirt was slightly blocked by Emile Smith Rowe.
Cedric might hope that considering his high standards at the Emirates Stadium that boss Arteta does not notice.
The intriguing inclusion
The man standing next to the former Southampton man might well get noticed too and potentially take attention away from his uniform misstep. Following his loan spell with Dutch side Feyenoord last season, academy graduate Reiss Nelson was expected to bid farewell once more.
However, a move was not agreed and he stayed at the Emirates Stadium, even being granted a place in the Gunners’ Premier League squad. The 22-year-old is yet to play a single minute for Arsenal this season but will certainly be hoping to have an impact throughout the remainder of the campaign.
A keeper down
Whilst Nelson has been included during the latest offering, there is one major omission - that being the presence of a fourth keeper.
During last year’s photograph, the likes of Aaron Ramsdale, Bernd Leno, Karl Hein and Arthur Okonkwo were all included but only two of those return this time and have been joined by American stopper Matt Turner following his arrival at the club in the summer.
Different role for Arteta
Throughout his career, Arteta has no doubt gotten used to the feeling of being part of a team photo. The Spaniard of course regularly featured as a player, whilst he will now be getting used to being the man at the front as manager.
The latest offering is his third during his spell as Gunners boss and no doubt he will be getting used to being the manager as part of a team photo as opposed to a player every time he participates.
No spies spotted
Of course, the background of official team photos can be talking points with some clubs plumping for their home stadium but the Gunners have gone slightly off-piste. Taken in front of bushes at the club’s London Colney, supporters might be keeping a close eye on the background.
Leeds United caused controversy over recent seasons by sending a spy to Derby County’s training ground ahead of a clash against the Rams. Fortunately, there doesn’t appear to be any uninvited guests, so their post-photo plans appear to be firmly under wraps.
