Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger admits the World Cup will affect his new season preparations.

Wenger allows his international stars to recuperate before they rejoin the Club for pre-season training and that is likely to be the case this year too - but it could come at a cost for Arsenal.

"Nowadays we have to stop for four weeks before the World Cup starts," Wenger told the Official Arsenal Magazine. "That means that it starts later, and they come back later. For example the Final is on July 11, and we start our championship one month later.

"Is there any chance that a player could play in the World Cup Final and then start the domestic season on time? I say no. And even if he does, he will pay for it later in the season.

"There is such pressure on these players, after playing a long season for the club to go again and perform again for your country. That takes a lot out of you so you need rest afterwards.

"It's impossible for them to come back so soon and be fully up for the challenge again. For me I count out the players for four weeks after the World Cup.

"A player who plays in the Final would not then be ready for the start of next season because of course he has to go through pre-season as well. If we had been in the Champions League play-off then we would have had to play them, because your season can depend on those games. Ideally though you like to give them three or four weeks holiday.

"Don't forget they get no time off before the tournament, they will be with the national teams, and England are also affected by not having a break in winter. That means as soon as you start, it's non-stop all the way through."