As
Arsenal announced their 24-man squad and jetted off for their pre-season tour
of Asia this summer, there were several key men missing.
Some were
explained by Confederations Cup duty, like Santi Cazorla and Ignacio Monreal,
while Thomas Vermaelen was ruled out with a back injury which could mean he
misses the start of the Premier League season.
Many
players who have been linked with moves away are not included altogether
though, including unsettled quartet Nicklas Bendtner, Marouane Chamakh,
Gervinho and Andre Santos.
Gervinho,
who has been linked with a reunion with old Lille boss Rudi Garcia at Roma, has
his absence explained by 'sickness', though it is questionable whether the
winger is in Arsene Wenger's plans this season.
Bendtner
has been linked with a move across Europe, though Frankfurt have today
announced that a deal for the striker is not 'financially viable', while
Chamakh is attracting interest from Levante.
Finally, Andre Santos has just returned to the club after a loan spell
at Gremio last season, but is thought to be on his way out following the
arrival of fellow left-back Monreal in January.
Though
there are sadly no new signings on the tour for Gunners fans to have a look at
with Yaya Sanogo still on duty with France at the Under 20 World Cup in Turkey,
there are several young players involved.
16-year-old
half-Ethiopian Gedion Zelalem is included, as are Kris Olsson, Serge Gnabry,
Chuks Aneke and Chuba Akpom.
Arsenal first fly out
to Jakarta, Indonesia for a game, before becoming the first Premier League team
to play a match in Vietnam, and two competitive fixtures in Ja
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