Arsenal"s Bacary Sagna, Lukas Podolski, Per Mertesacker dancing in Lagos, Nigeira

Twinkle toes! Sagna, Podolski and Mertesacker get on their dancing shoes in Nigeria

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UPDATED:

08:51 GMT, 30 July 2012

Pre-season is all about getting into shape in time for the new campaign. Sessions in the gym, light ball work, a couple of low intensity friendlies… dancing.

Away from the watchful eye of manager Arsene Wenger, some of Arsenal's first-team stars are enjoying a far less gruelling preparation than their friends in the Far East.

Best foot forward: Bacary Sagna, Per Mertesacker and Lukas Podolski have shown off their skills

Best foot forward: Bacary Sagna, Per Mertesacker and Lukas Podolski have shown off their skills

Best foot forward: Bacary Sagna, Per Mertesacker and Lukas Podolski have shown off their skills

Summer signing Lukas Podolski has joined international team-mate Per Mertesacker, as well as Bacary Sagna, in a relationship-building trip to Nigeria. The new boy probably hopes all training sessions are as fun as this!

The players are in the capital city Lagos, honouring a commitment the club made despite a proposed fixture having to be canned over logistical concerns.

As well as meeting fans, Sagna, Podolski and Mertesacker took part in the 'Malta Guinness Low Sugar Workout' at Eko Hotel, strutting their stuff much to the amusement of those watching. Even the 6'7'' German defender showed he had great feet for a big man.

Making a point: Arsenal sent the first-team stars to Nigeria on a relationship-building trip

Making a point: Arsenal sent the first-team stars to Nigeria on a relationship-building trip

Making a point: Arsenal sent the first-team stars to Nigeria on a relationship-building trip

While the toe-tapping trio threw some shapes, the rest of the Arsenal squad were preparing to make their way back to London following an indifferent run of results in Malaysia, China and Hong Kong.

The Gunners have just one more friendly in the diary – against Cologne next week – before the season starts against Sunderland at Emirates Stadium on August 18.

Meanwhile, in the Far East: The rest of the squad have been in China, Malaysia and Hong Kong

Meanwhile, in the Far East: The rest of the squad have been in China, Malaysia and Hong Kong

Adam Johnson wears a skirt as Manchester City stars hit catwalk at Fashion Kicks

City celebrate derby win on the catwalk… (and Johnson even wears a skirt!)

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UPDATED:

10:13 GMT, 2 May 2012

Manchester City's stars celebrated their vital derby win over bitter rivals Manchester United by strutting their stuff down the catwalk at a charity event on Tuesday night.

City skipper and Monday night's match-winner Vincent Kompany – as well as team-mates Kolo Toure and Gareth Barry – could be seen modelling at the Fashion Kicks event at Old Trafford Cricket Ground, hosted by former Blues goalkeeper Shay Given and his wife, Jane.

Keeping up appearances: City captain Kompany (left) with his wife Carla, and Shay Given (right) and his wife Jane

Keeping up appearances: City captain Kompany (left) with his wife Carla, and Shay Given (right) and his wife Jane

Keeping up appearances: Kompany (left) with his wife Carla, and Shay Given (right) and his wife Jane

Pole position: Kompany celebrates scoring the winner on Monday night

Pole position: Kompany celebrates scoring the winner on Monday night

But it was City and England winger Adam Johnson who raised the most eyebrows, sporting a Vivienne Westwood 'man-skirt' at the annual football and fashion charity extravaganza.

And he unashamedly told Manchester Evening News: 'I just love doing the catwalk, I’m really keen on it and I’m just happy to be involved for Shay.

'Man-skirt': Johnson (left) donned a Vivienne Westwood number, while Joe Hart (right) poses with his wife Kym

'Man-skirt': Johnson (left) donned a Vivienne Westwood number, while Joe Hart (right) poses with his wife Kym

'Man-skirt': Johnson (left) donned a Vivienne Westwood number, while Joe Hart (right) poses with his wife Kym

'It’s absolutely brilliant for us all to come and let our hair down tonight at such a fantastic charity event after such a good result in the derby.'

One player not taking to the catwalk was City and England No 1 Joe Hart, who picked up an ankle knock against United.

But he revealed he expects to be fit in
time to face Newcastle on Sunday, and added: 'I can’t really hobble up
and down the catwalk as much as I’d like to. I really enjoyed it last
year.'

City slickers: Given with former team-mates Nigel de Jong (top right), Patrick Vieira (bottom right) and Joleon Lescott (bottom left)

City slickers: Given with former team-mates Nigel de Jong (top right), Patrick Vieira (bottom right) and Joleon Lescott (bottom left)

City slickers: Given with former team-mates Nigel de Jong (top right), Patrick Vieira (bottom right) and Joleon Lescott (bottom left); while Hart (far right) celebrates the win over United

Showing their support: James and Amy Milner

Showing their support: James and Amy Milner

Dutch of class: Nigel de Jong with his wife Winona

Dutch of class: Nigel de Jong with his wife Winona

Suits you, Sir: Pablo Zabaleta with his partner

Suits you, Sir: Pablo Zabaleta with his partner

Some of the other big names at the star-studded event were fellow City stars Joleon Lescott and James Milner, boy band Westlife, X Factor judge Louis Walsh and Peter Crouch's wife Abbey Clancy.

French fancy: Patrick Vieira was also in attendance

French fancy: Patrick Vieira was also in attendance

What a pair: Emile Heskey and fiancee Chantelle Tagoe

What a pair: Emile Heskey and fiancee Chantelle Tagoe

Safe hands: City reserve keeper Stuart Taylor was also present

Safe hands: City reserve keeper Stuart Taylor was also present

Given and his wife have donated more than 1million to charity with their Fashion Kicks events, with thousands of pounds raised from Tuesday night's charity auction going to Macmillan Cancer Support, Stockport’s Beechwood Cancer Care Centre and the Chefs Adopt A School Project.