Serge Gnabry will return to his homeland this week as he forms part of the Arsenal squad travelling to Cologne for a training camp and their final pre-season friendly prior to the start of the new Premier League season.

Gnabry, who joins fellow German Lukas Podolski on the short flight, tweeted his delight at being included, for what is his first real involvement with the senior squad since his move from Stuttgart last summer. A dynamic, skilful presence capable of operating on either flank, he signed his first professional contract shortly after he turned 17 following a superb debut season in which he scored seven goals in 10 appearances for the under-18s, before breaking into the second-string where he found the net twice in six games.

Should Gnabry receive a run-out in the fixture on Sunday and suitably impress, it is likely that he will be involved in the Capital One Cup at some stage this season, whilst it is not beyond the realms of possibility that he could also feature in the FA Cup, particularly if Arsene Wenger opts to play a younger side against lower-league opposition.

Joining Gnabry on the flight is Nico Yennaris, who could be involved as right-back cover early in the season with Bacary Sagna not expected back from injury until later this month. The inclusion of Gnabry, however, is particularly intriguing, and ties in with the philosophy mentioned by Under-21 coach Terry Burton that the club will not refrain from providing the most talented youngsters with early opportunities in the second-string side, with the majority of the first-year scholars having already featured at that level this pre-season as Burton assesses his options for the forthcoming campaign.

The full squad travelling to Cologne is expected to be announced shortly.