Alexandre Lacazette takes on an entire team of Junior Gunners as Arsenal stars train in front of 5,000 fans in open session at Emirates Stadium

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Alexandre Lacazette proved a hit with Arsenal fans as he agreed to take on an entire team of Junior Gunners as part of an open training day at their Emirates Stadium on Thursday.

An estimated 5,000 people turned out to watch their new record signing train with his new team-mates and a few lucky youngsters were invited to test his skills in a fun and friendly match.

The Frenchman was forced to dribble his way through over a dozen youngsters before his team-mates Sead Kolasinac and Jeff Reine-Adelaide lent him a helping hand — with the latter employing some suspect tactics in the process!

Alexandre Lacazette vies for a way out as over a dozen Junior Gunners try to tackle him

The French star used his famous agility to navigate a way out of the hoards of young fans

Ainsley Maitland-Niles takes on a group of young fans as part of Arsenal's open training day

Jeff Reine-Adelaide employs dirty tactics as the Arsenal stars struggle against the youngsters

The young midfielder appeared to purposely trip one of the young guns as the Arsenal stars struggled to cope with the sheer number of opponents, regardless of their size.

It brought an end to what had been an eventful training session ahead of Arsenal's season-opening game against Chelsea on Sunday. The likes of Alexis Sanchez, Jack Wilshere and Mesut Ozil were all present to make it a day to remember for those in attendance.

Although Sanchez appeared in fine spirits, his lack of match fitness means he is unlikely to feature in the Community Shield tie with Lacazette likely to make his first competitive appearance in his absence.

Sead Kolasinac attempts to defend his goal against eight young Arsenal fans

The £52m signing tried to prove his worth as he shoots to score against three youngsters

Arsenal stars pose with the lucky fans in front of the Emirates goal at the end of the session

Gabriel wears an Alexandre Lacazette face mask as he poses with the genuine article

He is one of two signings to arrive at the Emirates this summer and Wenger's lack of action in the transfer window will come into focus as he faces Antonio Conte, who has spent well over £100million on Tiemoue Bakayoko, Alvaro Morata and Antonio Rudiger.

Speaking of Chelsea's new signings, Wenger said: 'I would say that they look like they have kept the basis of their squad. They have added Bakayoko who is a very strong player, a strong ball-winner, similar to [Nemanja] Matic but maybe more of an impact player. 

'They have replaced [Diego] Costa with Morata. He is maybe less of a goalscorer, but can score and provide as well. 

'And against us in Asia, [Michy] Batshuayi played very well, he is a young striker who is promising as well, so I expect them to fight again for the championship.'

Alexis Sanchez was in high spirits as he took part in an open training session with Arsenal

Jack Wilshere smiles as he returns to the Emirates pitch following a season on loan

Hector Bellerin and Sanchez challenge for the ball while Theo Walcott chases Wilshere

Lacazette and Cohen Bramall challenge one another as part of a serious training drill

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain calls for the ball as he takes part in the open training session

The upcoming campaign will see Arsenal absent from the Champions League for the first time in 18 years as they finished outside of the top four for the first time in Wenger's reign. 

But he believes their failure to qualify gives them an opportunity to focus more on the Premier League, a competition he says has now vaulted Europe's premiere competition.

He continued: 'Well for us it is a good opportunity to focus completely on the Premier League. I would say that the Premier League has in my opinion taken over from the Champions League interest-wise because every game is so difficult. 

'I would have loved to play in it, but we have to deal with the reality that we are not in it.'

Sanchez poses for a photo with his fellow Arsenal striker Danny Welbeck at the Emirates

Arsene Wenger smiles as he leaves the Emirates pitch with his players upon finishing