EPL: Arsenal trio to miss start of season

Jul 25, 2014 09:33:00
The Arsenal boss says that the Germany stars need
a proper rest after their exploits in Brazil, arguing
that big clubs always struggle in the season after a
major tournament
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger expects World Cup
winners Mesut Ozil, Per Mertesacker and Lukas
Podolski to miss the start of the new Premier
League season.
The Germany internationals all played key roles as
Joachim Low’s side triumphed in Brazil, beating
Argentina 1-0 in the final on July 13.
The Gunners open their Premier League campaign
on August 16 against Crystal Palace but Wenger
does not envisage the trio being available for
selection.
"I have given them a good break because I have
experience of players who have been in the World
Cup final. You need a rest," the Frenchman told
reporters.
"Will they be ready? Mertesacker prepares well -
but for the first game ... I don't think they will be
ready for August 16.
"A post-World Cup year is always very difficult and
short; the World Cup final was July 13 and the start
of the Premier League is August 16. From Fifa we
are obliged to give four weeks' holiday to the
players so I don't know how all that works together.
It looks impossible to me.
"A post-World Cup year is always very difficult for
every big club because the players have been
away."
Wenger is hopeful that the Gunners, currently in the
United States on their pre-season tour, can add
more silverware next season after having their long
trophy drought by claiming FA Cup glory last
campaign.
"We always have high expectations but we haven't
always fulfilled them," he conceded. "We are very
ambitious and last season we went 128 days at the
top of the Premier League but were left frustrated
because we couldn't win it.
"Overall, we were very consistent, we won the FA
Cup and we want to win more next season but the
level of competition is very high and it's very
difficult to predict how much better other teams will
be.
"We just have to ensure we have good preparation
and hopefully we will have a good chance to win the
title."