Arsenal supporters were treated to the sight of eight first-team players returning to London Colney on Monday for pre-season training.
With an international break falling shortly after the conclusion of last season, it meant not all players in the Gunners' senior squad were present for the first day of pre-season just over a fortnight ago. They were given an extended break, which explains their absence from the Germany training camp and a 5-3 win over FC Nurnberg.
But the new week has begun with Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka, Granit Xhaka, Nuno Tavares, Aaron Ramsdale and Takehiro Tomiyasu all taking their first steps towards full fitness, whilst Lucas Torreira and William Saliba are back after loan spells last season.
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The eight players have returned just in time to be included in the squad that travels out to the USA for a pre-season tour which includes friendlies against Orlando City as well as Premier League rivals Everton and Chelsea. Although, it should be pointed out that whether Xhaka makes the trip remains to be seen.
Thanks to Arsenal head physiotherapist Jordan Reece, a brief insight into what the likes of Odegaard, Saka, Saliba and Tomiyasu would have experienced on an important first day back at London Colney has already been outlined.
"The first day back is a vital screening day for us," he said. "The players have been away for five, six weeks, so it's really important that we capture how they've been over that period of time. If there have been any issues at the back end of last season. We take a baseline physical measurement of where the players are at.
"In terms of strength test, power test, mobility, flexibility, in terms of overall general conditioning as well. Really busy day, the lads are flat out from eight o'clock, it's pretty full-on for them, they are sort of tired by the end of it. But it's vitally important days that we capture these players prior to them going into any training, and they get a marker of where they are at."
And judging by the images from Monday's session, the surprise over Saliba's squad number for next season may have been spoiled as he wore the no.12 training top. Now, this may not be definitive, given Charlie Patino has trained in no.35 recently but wore no.69 against FC Nurnberg, so there's still time to get his dream no.2.
Meanwhile, Torreira has received clarity over his own shirt number for next season. After losing the no.11 to Gabriel Martinelli back in May, the midfielder took to Instagram and asked an important question: "What number will I wear next year? Good luck, amigo @gabriel.martinelli. I love you."
Well, the answer to that is no.35 - ironically Martinell's old number, which means the pair have simply traded shirt numbers. But whether the Uruguay international is at the club for much longer remains to be seen as he has publically stated his intention to return to Italy or Spai
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