Arsenal stars shared Christmas cheer with fans across north London on Tuesday as they continued their long-standing tradition as they brought presents to hospitals and schools in the local area.
The likes of Mesut Ozil, Alex Scott and club captain Per Mertesacker made the visit after training on Tuesday, delighting local supporters at the Whittington Hospital in Holloway, Homerton Hospital and the Teenage Cancer Trust Unit in University College Hospital.
Meanwhile Aaron Ramsey, Calum Chambers, Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Chuba Akpom visited Stoke Newington Secondary School, where the Arsenal Foundation has funded a pitch for the local community.
Ramsey and company surprised young footballers at a training session, offering them coaching tips before handing out presents and posing for selfies with fans.
Arsenal Christmas visits - In pictures
“All the players put a lot into their community work,” Ramsey told Standard Sport. “Coming to places like this means a lot to us, we’re very proud to play our part in the local community.
“It’s such a fantastic club in terms of the things it does off the field and I’m very proud to represent Arsenal at these projects.”
First-teamers also visited the Blessed Sacrament primary school in Islington where they helped out with a classroom session.
Mertesacker, who led the trip to the Whittington, said: "I’ve been at Arsenal for seven years now and this is my seventh visit to Whittington Hospital.
“It means a lot to us – for the men’s and women’s players - to all come together and give a little bit back. Especially at this time of year.”
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The visits came ahead of the Arsenal Foundation’s charity matchday against Newcastle on December 16, when the manager and players will donate a day’s wages to support projects in the local community and beyond.