ARSENAL YAANZA ZIARA YA MAANDALIZI YA KUANZA MSIMU WAKIELEKEA MASHARIKI YA MBALI.

Ready to go: Theo Walcott relaxes prior to take off from Luton airport.

With the giant: Wilshere (top), Podolski (left) and Mertesacker (bottom) prepare for the tour.

The boss is here: Wenger hasn't made as many signings as he would have liked before the tour.

Excited: Olivier Giroud is one of many Arsenal players who are going away for the first time with the club.

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.

Gunners: Arteta (right) and Sagna (left) having some fun on the plane in front of the camera.

First trip: Kris Olsson (left) is ready for his first tour to Asia, while Szczesny (right) is looking to be Number 1.

Rejects? Bendtner (left), Chamakh (right), and Gervinho (below) all look to be heading towards the exit door.

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 Japan.

Talented: Gnabry (left) and Aneke (right) are a few of the youngsters in action for Arsenal.