New Arsenal signing pictured in pre-season training | OneFootball

Arsenal’s first summer signing Lucas Nygaard was pictured in pre-season training on Monday, as the u21s returned from their summer holidays.

Lucas Nygaard in training with Arsenal (Photo via Arsenal.com)

Arsenal announced their first summer signing last week, with young goalkeeper Lucas Nygaard joining the club after leaving FC Nordsjaelland.

Though the Denmark u18 international is officially joining Arsenal’s u21 team, he’s currently likely to get a first-team opportunity in pre-season, with David Raya and Aaron Ramsdale both still away for Euro 2024.

It’s now less than four weeks until Arsenal’s first confirmed pre-season fixture, and less than three until the trip to the United States. There may even be other games before that.

For the time being, Nygaard has started training with his new academy teammates, with u21 coach Mehmet Ali holding their first session back on July 1st.

Mehmet Ali in training with the Arsenal u21s (Photo via Arsenal.com)

Before the first team are in action, Nygaard could make his debut for the u21s as they face Boreham Wood on Saturday, July 13th.

Other players currently involved in pre-season training include former loanees Salah-Eddine Oulad M’Hand, Omar Rekik, Brian Okonkwo, Mika Biereth, Charlie Patino, Zane Monlouis, Charles Sagoe Jr., and Nathan Butler-Oyedeji.

Elian Quesada-Thorn was also involved in the session, as first spotted by Arsenal Youth, suggesting the player has accepted Arsenal’s offer of a new contract. There’s been no official announcement on that front.

Ethan Nwaneri was involved as well, having been tipped for increased first-team involvement next season.

Ethan Nwaneri in training with Arsenal (Photo via Arsenal.com)

The fitness headstart the academy players have should put them in a good position to step up if and when they’re called upon by Mikel Arteta later in the summer.

Though it’s worth mentioning that some senior players have already been part of a less formal fitness camp with Arteta in recent days.

Arsenal pre-season fixture list