Arsene Wenger admits pre-season training has changed over the last decade as Arsenal return in top condition: 'There are no overweight players any more'

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Pre-season used to be a time when players returned to their clubs to be put through intense fitness sessions in a bid to get them back in shape for the new season.

But that approach is no longer required, according to Arsene Wenger.

The Arsenal players who weren't involved in the latter stages of Euro 2016 are now back at the club following their summer breaks but, rather than being run into the ground by their fitness coaches, the Gunners staff merely need to fine tune a squad who have kept themselves fit during the summer.

Arsene Wenger has been impressed with the way players today keep themselves fit over the summer

England midfielder Jack Wilshere goes for a run during Arsenal's training session at their Colney base

'The target is to get them as fit as possible, and what has changed compared to 10 or 15 years ago is that the players come back basically fit today,' Wenger told the club website.

'There are no overweight players anymore, there's no players anymore who have not prepared or done his homework and you can start straight away with normal training. Before you had to dedicate two or three weeks first to get everybody to the stage where they can practice normally.

'It's not especially individuals, it is just the lifestyle that has changed in the last 15 years. Everybody around you, not just football players, is fitter than he was 15 years ago.

The Arsenal boss says pre-season training is very different than 10 years ago, with less fitness work needed

Calum Chambers and Gedion Zelalem battle after returning to pre-season training with Arsenal

'We want the players to be as sharp as possible. Look at the schedule we have, it is a very difficult schedule and we must focus on the players who are here because they are certainly the players who will start the season.'

Another change over the last 15 years is the rise of overseas tours, prior to the start of the season, rather than playing the majority of friendlies in England.

This summer, Arsenal play games in France, against Lens, in the United States against Chivas USA and MLS All-Stars and then enjoy a trip to Scandinavia to face Viking in Norway and then Manchester City in Gothenburg.

It's not all hard graft at pre-season training, as Joel Campbell proves by jumping on Gabriel's back