Twinkle toes! Sagna, Podolski and Mertesacker get on their dancing shoes in Nigeria

Pre-season is all about getting into shape in time for the new campaign. Sessions in the gym, light ball work, a couple of low intensity friendlies... dancing.
Away from the watchful eye of manager Arsene Wenger, some of Arsenal's first-team stars are enjoying a far less gruelling preparation than their friends in the Far East.
Scroll down to see video footage of Arsenal's first-team stars doing dance aerobics

Best foot forward: Bacary Sagna, Per Mertesacker and Lukas Podolski have shown off their skills

 

Summer signing Lukas Podolski has joined international team-mate Per Mertesacker, as well as Bacary Sagna, in a relationship-building trip to Nigeria. The new boy probably hopes all training sessions are as fun as this!

The players are in the capital city Lagos, honouring a commitment the club made despite a proposed fixture having to be canned over logistical concerns.
As well as meeting fans, Sagna, Podolski and Mertesacker took part in the 'Malta Guinness Low Sugar Workout' at Eko Hotel, strutting their stuff much to the amusement of those watching. Even the 6'7'' German defender showed he had great feet for a big man.

Making a point: Arsenal sent the first-team stars to Nigeria on a relationship-building trip

While the toe-tapping trio threw some shapes, the rest of the Arsenal squad were preparing to make their way back to London following an indifferent run of results in Malaysia, China and Hong Kong.
The Gunners have just one more friendly in the diary - against Cologne next week - before the season starts against Sunderland at Emirates Stadium on August 18.

Meanwhile, in the Far East: The rest of the squad have been in China, Malaysia and Hong Kong