Arsenal are set to meet Liverpool in their season opener without a key trio of players.
Captain Cesc Fabregas and strikers Nicklas Bendtner and Robin van Persie are all likely to miss the August 15 clash at Anfield.
Bendtner will certainly miss as he recovers from a groin injury whilst Fabregas and van Persie, who both played in the World Cup final, will only return to the club on August 5 and it is unsure how much work they will do in the lead-up to the match.
"Bendtner will not be available for the start of the season," Gunners boss Arsene Wenger said.
"Fabregas and van Persie are due to come back on August 5 and from then on we will see how much build-up work is needed physically and as well how they have recovered mentally from the World Cup.
"They might be short for the first game [of the season] but I don't know, that will depend on the fitness work they have done during the holiday."
