Hleb trains with Gunners
Arsenal’s proposed new signing, Alexander Hleb, was fully involved as the Gunners reported back for the first day of pre-season training today.
Belarus international Hleb, who has agreed personal terms on a move to Highbury that could cost the club up to £10m, is still awaiting news on his application for a work permit.
However, the 24-year-old midfielder wasted no time in getting fully involved in Arsenal’s early pre-season preparations at the club’s London Colney training ground near St Albans.
Most first-team players have been allowed extra time in which to recuperate, including Gilberto Silva, Jens Lehmann, Patrick Vieira, Philippe Senderos and Kolo Toure, who were all involved in internationals after the end of last season.
The entire squad are unlikely to be together until Arsenal depart on July 19 for a pre-season training camp in Austria, where they are due to play three friendlies.
However, Hleb was today working out alongside the likes of Thierry Henry, who has been regaining full fitness with regular work-outs and treatment over the summer, Jose Antonio Reyes, Dennis Bergkamp, Mathieu Flamini, Pascal Cygan and Gael Clichy.
While there has not yet been any official confirmation that Hleb has passed his medical, his participation in today’s session indicates there are no significant worries over his fitness.
