Arsenal continued its long standing Christmas tradition of spreading some festive cheer at the Whittington Hospital last week.

Arsène Wenger’s squad and members of the Arsenal Women visited the Archway hospital, Hackney’s Homerton Hospital and the Teenage Cancer Trust to hand out gifts to youngsters on Tuesday.

They also dropped in on Blessed Sacrament primary school in Treaty Street, to help out with an Arsenal in the Community Double Club session and Stoke Newington secondary school for a girls’ football session.

Per Mertesacker, who led the trip to the Whittington, said: “I’ve been at Arsenal for seven years now and this is my seventh visit to the Whittington Hospital.

“It means a lot to us – for the men’s and women’s players – to all come together and give a little bit back. Especially at this time of year.”

Arsenal players and Mr Wenger will donate a day’s wages to support community projects when the team faces Newcastle on Saturday.