Twenty first-team stars were absent as Arsenal returned to pre-season training.

Just 13 members of the squad were expected back for the first day at London Colney due to injuries and international breaks.

Manager Arsene Wenger gave an extended break to the players who were involved in games for their countries over recent weeks.

It means that most of the big names were not due back for the first session.

Mesut Ozil, Petr Cech, Theo Walcott and Danny Welbeck were among those due to go under initial tests following their break.

Mesut Ozil makes an appearance in training despite looking for a move away (
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Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Kieran Gibbs could be in for a move this summer (
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Arsenal FC/Getty)
Per Mertesacker goes through the paces (
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Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Per Mertesacker only started the FA Cup final last season (
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Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

New signing Sead Kolasinac - the Gunners' only arrival so far this summer - also reported for duty.

Wenger put the players through a number of assessments on their fitness levels before undergoing a training ground session with the coaching staff later in the day.

Training won't be taking place at London Colney for long, with the Gunners' first pre-season game being in Australia against Sydney FC on July 13.

Danny Welbeck looks over his shoulder (
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Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Sead Kolasinac makes his first appearance at London Colney (
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Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Sead Kolasinac is the Gunners' only summer signing so far (
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Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Mesut Ozil warms up his left foot (
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Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
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It leaves a quick turnaround for the likes of Olivier Giroud, Laurent Koscielny, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Granit Xhaka, who have been granted additional time off.

Alexis Sanchez, who remains heavily linked with a move to Manchester City, will be given even longer off having only just completed his Confederations Cup campaign with Chile.

Lucas Perez and Mesut Ozil run together (
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Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Arsene Wenger runs the rule over his stars with fitness coach Shay Forsythe (
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Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Lucas Perez watches Mesut Ozil doing sit ups (
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Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Petr Cech and Theo Walcott arrive back at training (
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Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Only 13 Arsenal first teamers returned for the first session of pre-season (
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Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Players due at training on Monday

Mesut Ozil, Sead Kolasinac, Per Mertesacker, Kieran Gibbs, Petr Cech, Lucas Perez, Theo Walcott, Danny Welbeck, Emiliano Martinez, Francis Coquelin, Mathieu Debuchy, Chuba Akpom, Carl Jenkinson.

Players to return at later date

Laurent Koscielny, Aaron Ramsey, Olivier Giroud, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Nacho Monreal, Alex Iwobi, Granit Xhaka, Mohamed Elneny, Wojciech Szczesny, David Ospina, Alexis Sanchez, Shkodran Mustafi, Calum Chambers, Rob Holding, Hector Bellerin, Joel Campbell, Gabriel (injured), Santi Cazorla (injured), Jack Wilshere (injured), Jeff Reine-Adelaide (injured).

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