Arsenal reveal squad photo with a difference

The Gunners have maintained their traditional squad photo while acknowledging the current coronavirus pandemic

Arsenal line up for their squad photo (Arsenal/Instagram)

Arsenal have revealed their squad photo for the current campaign with a twist.

The Gunners have maintained their yearly tradition, which begun in 1888/89.

But this year, amid the Covid-19 pandemic, Arsenal have adapted the customary formation for the photo shoot.

All players wore a mask and the formation for the shot was socially distanced.

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“We know that so many of our fans here in the UK and across the globe may be experiencing lockdowns or restrictions on spending time with those close to them.

“Our thoughts remain with our supporters who have been impacted by Covid-19, especially those who have lost loved ones.”

The drone shot sees Mikel Arteta front the formation by himself, with the FA Cup and Community Shield on display.

The front row is comprised of Hector Bellerin, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Granit Xhaka and Alexandre Lacazette

The Gunners travel to Leeds United on Sunday in a pivotal game for their hopes of challenging for a top four finish.

Despite mixed form, Arsenal are just four points off Southampton, who currently occupy fourth place.

Meanwhile, Aubameyang and his Gabon team mates were forced to spend the night sleeping on the airport floor before their 2-1 loss to Gambia in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Aubameyang used social media to highlight their plight after arriving at Banjul airport on Sunday.

The Gabon delegation were told they were not allowed to leave the airport because of an administrative problem and were forced to sleep on the floor before being allowed to leave in the morning after government intervention.

No reason was given for not allowing the team to exit the airport and head to their hotel after arrival and even by previous standards of gamesmanship in African football, this was unusual. Gabon’s federation posted pictures of the incident of its Facebook page but without any comment.

"Nice job CAF, it's as if we were back in the 1990s," Aubameyang posted on Twitter in a reference to previous foibles blamed on the Confederation of African Football.

"This will not demotivate us but people need to know and CAF need to take responsibility. (It is) 2020 and we want Africa to grow but this is not how we will get there," the Arsenal striker added later.