Arsenal stars Hector Bellerin, David Luiz and Bernd Leno hit the training ground as Premier League prepares to return - in pictures

Arsenal stars have started to step up their training as Mikel Arteta's squad prepare for the return of Premier League football. Brazil defender David Luiz, Ivory Coast international Nicolas Pepe and Germany goalkeeper Bernd Leno were among the stars hitting the training ground for a workout on Friday. Premier League clubs voted to return to training at the beginning of the week under strict guidelines with the country still gripped by the Covid-19 outbreak. England's top-flight was shut down in early March along with most European leagues in a bid to stem the pandemic. As part of Project Restart, players must maintain social distancing with contact training not permitted. Players will be asked to use an app on a daily basis to record any symptoms, and they have to arrive for training in their football gear, and go straight home at the end of the session to shower. Club canteens are also not operational at this stage. To see pictures of players and staff arriving for training, check out the photo gallery above. Simply click on the arrows or swipe to view the next image.

Arsenal stars Hector Bellerin, David Luiz and Bernd Leno hit the training ground as Premier League prepares to return - in pictures

New rules are in place but the players are gearing up for action in June