Arsenal Christmas party: Lukas Podolski, Theo Walcott and Olivier Giroud document the festive get-together through Instagram and Twitter

The Gunners squad managed to get over the late 2-2 draw with Liverpool by enjoying the annual Christmas party

Yaya Sanogo, Francis Coquelin, Mesut Özil, Mathieu Flamini, Lukas Podolski and Alexis Sanchez (Instagram/poldi_official)

The 97th-minute equaliser at Liverpool didn’t appear to dampen spirits at the Arsenal Christmas party as the squad turned out with their wives and girlfriends for a festive meal on Monday night – and decided to document it through Instagram.

Martin Skrtel’s header deep into injury-time meant the Gunners let slip two points that would have helped their quest to break into the top four, and raised further questions of their defence that has been far from convincing so far this season.

But that didn’t seem to matter as the players were allowed to let their hair down – or up, given the alarming amount of hair products on show – to celebrate all things in the name of Christmas.

Olivier Giroud – perhaps the chief perpetrator in the hair product department – appeared alongside his wife Jennifer as the couple posed for a picture together, while the ever-enthusiastic Lukas Podolski kept himself busy by co-ordinating a group photo alongside Yaya Sanogo, Francis Coquelin, Mesut Özil, Mathieu Flamini and Alexis Sanchez.

Podolski posted the picture on his Instagram caption along with the caption: “My table tonight... Friends from countries far and wide.”

He later teamed up with his German compatriot Ozil for a second photo, and there was good news on Tuesday regarding the £42.5m record signing as Arsene Wenger confirmed he is on target to return to action at the beginning of next month.

Fans won’t mind too much as long as the Gunners get a result in their Boxing Day Premier League match against Queens Park Rangers. While the North London club should be winning against the relegation candidates, the form of striker Charlie Austin will be a major worry given that Arsenal’s defence have been found out more often than not this season.