Any thought that Arsenal's only pull was Robin van Persie was blown out of the water on Sunday morning as the club arrived in the Far East for a pre-season tour.
The Gunners have flown halfway around the world to forget about the troubles at home with their captain, who is angling for a move away this summer.
And waiting for them at Kuala Lumpur airport was a throng of supporters just desperate for a look at the club's true heroes.
The 24-man squad is shorn of several first-team regulars still recovering from their exertions at Euro 2012, but nonetheless contains plenty of world-famous faces.
Theo Walcott - himself in contract discussions with the club - is the star turn, while Alex Song is certainly the most striking, arriving as he did wearing an astonishing pair of trainers and topped with his now trademark crazy hairstyle
The players had travelled in glorious comfort, with access to beds and, in Walcott and goalkeeper Vito Mannone's case, chocolate cake. Johan Djourou and Lukas Fabianski even got behind the bar.
So much for getting fit for the new season. But, hey, if the captain's not around to keep tabs on you...
Back in Britain, the fight for Van Persie's signature between Manchester duo City and United, as well as Juventus in Italy, continues.
United’s move to sign last season's Premier League top goalscorer is hanging in the balance because Arsenal are refusing to budge on their £30 million valuation.
City, meanwhile, want to sell either Edin Dzeko or Carlos Tevez before committing to a big deal for Van Persie. But they will need to act swiftly to take advantage of Arsenal’s impasse with United and mollify manager Roberto Mancini.
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