Arsenal prepare for Premier League return ahead of West Brom clash... with 16-year-old Vlad Dragomir joining the first team

  • Arsenal can go top of the league by beating West Brom on Saturday
  • Gunners were in good form before the international break
  • Teenage starlet Vlad Dragomir takes part in first-team training
  • Mesut Ozil trains in a snood, while Alexis Sanchez looks sharp 

It may be cold in north London in November, but one teenage star could be warming the hearts of Arsenal fans after a string of impressive performances earned him the chance to train with the first team.

While Mesut Ozil wrapped up in a snood, Vlad Dragomir, who is just 16 years old, took on some of the Gunners' biggest stars.

The Romanian starlet, who joined the Gunners this summer for around £100,000 from ACS Timisoara, excited fans when videos of him playing for the youth team went viral this week. 

Arsenal starlet Vlad Dragomir tackles Alexis Sanchez as he trained with the first team on Friday 

Arsenal starlet Vlad Dragomir tackles Alexis Sanchez as he trained with the first team on Friday 

The teenage star is put through his paces alongside Nacho Monreal after impressing in the youth set-up

The teenage star is put through his paces alongside Nacho Monreal after impressing in the youth set-up

Dragomir poses with his Arsenal team-mates after a youth team win over Norwich, in which he scored

Dragomir poses with his Arsenal team-mates after a youth team win over Norwich, in which he scored

The young star's Instagram is a stark reminder of his young age, featuring him playing Playstation and texting

The young star's Instagram is a stark reminder of his young age, featuring him playing Playstation and texting

The 16-year-old posted a picture on a mini-Segway in a supermarket to his Instagram account

The 16-year-old posted a picture on a mini-Segway in a supermarket to his Instagram account

Mesut Ozil trained with a snood wrapped around his face as he braved the cold at London Colney

Mesut Ozil trained with a snood wrapped around his face as he braved the cold at London Colney

Sanchez, who was an injury doubt during the international break, rounds David Ospina during the session

Sanchez, who was an injury doubt during the international break, rounds David Ospina during the session

Petr Cech dives make a save during Friday's session, ahead of Arsenal's trip to West Brom 

Petr Cech dives make a save during Friday's session, ahead of Arsenal's trip to West Brom 

Striker Olivier Giroud gets to grip with defender Gabriel as Arsenal prepared for their Premier League return

Striker Olivier Giroud gets to grip with defender Gabriel as Arsenal prepared for their Premier League return

VLAD DRAGOMIR PROFILE 

Born: April 24, 1999, Timisoara

Position: Midfielder

Squad Number: 66

Previous Club: ACS Timisoara

Arsenal U18 appearances: 2(2), 1 goal

And despite only winning his first start for the Arsenal U18 side in October, it seems his displays have earned him the chance to play at a higher level, as he joined the likes of Jeff Reine-Adelaide as a youngster training with the first team.

The experience didn't seem to inhibit the Romanian Under 16 captain, as he put in a tackle on Alexis Sanchez during the session. 

Sanchez, who was an injury doubt after struggling with Chile over the break, looked happy and sharp again as Arsene Wenger's side prepared to return to league against.    

Hector Bellerin, who is fit to play again after recovering from injury, trains with Giroud and Mathieu Flamini

Hector Bellerin, who is fit to play again after recovering from injury, trains with Giroud and Mathieu Flamini

The Frenchman pulls off a rabona in training as the Gunners look to go top of the Premier League table

The Frenchman pulls off a rabona in training as the Gunners look to go top of the Premier League table

Flamini poses for a picture in front of Ozil, whose snood is branded with his squad number

Flamini poses for a picture in front of Ozil, whose snood is branded with his squad number

Arsenal go into Saturday's game against West Brom knowing that even a point will take them top of the Premier League - at least until Manchester City play Liverpool later in the day. 

And Sanchez was all smiles as he took a full part in Friday's session, which also featured the fit-again Hector Bellerin.

Ozil, meanwhile, wore a fetching red snood throughout, pulling it up over his face as he attempted to brave the cold weather at London Colney - leaving Mathieu Flamini to have a laugh at his expense. 

Joel Campbell and Santi Cazorla show off their tricks and flicks as the German playmaker watches on

Joel Campbell and Santi Cazorla show off their tricks and flicks as the German playmaker watches on

Another young star, Jeff Reine-Adelaide trains with the first team, alongside England defender Kieran Gibbs

Another young star, Jeff Reine-Adelaide trains with the first team, alongside England defender Kieran Gibbs

Bellerin is put through his paces as he looks to prove his fitness for Saturday's game at The Hawthorns 

Bellerin is put through his paces as he looks to prove his fitness for Saturday's game at The Hawthorns 

Both Ozil and Sanchez, whose partnership has helped Arsenal to second in the table, are expected to seal new deals at the club in the near future, but Arsene Wenger denied that talks were already underway.

'We have not started to talk about that with Mesut Ozil,' said Wenger on Friday.

'As well in the same situation (Alexis). These players, at the end of the year have two and a half years' contract (remaining) and we have some time. 

'We are not in a hurry. We want of course for them to stay at the club. We'll start the negotiations at some stage, but at the moment we have not started.

'From the new year to the summer we'll certainly start it with all the players who have two years to go at the end of the season.' 

Sanchez is watched by Laurent Koscielny, who is a doubt for the game after being affected by events in France

Sanchez is watched by Laurent Koscielny, who is a doubt for the game after being affected by events in France

Giroud, Bellerin, Monreal and Mathieu Debuchy keep the ball in the air, as the Arsenal squad enjoy training

Giroud, Bellerin, Monreal and Mathieu Debuchy keep the ball in the air, as the Arsenal squad enjoy training

 

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