Arsenal could be without Wales midfielder Aaron Ramsey for their opening Premier League fixture against Liverpool.
Ramsey helped guide Wales to their first ever semi-final at a major tournament at the European Championship in France, where suspension kept him out of their 2-0 defeat against Portugal.
The 25-year-old is not due back for pre-season training until the beginning of August, which leaves him just two weeks to get match fit for their opening fixture against Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool.
“I am back on August 1, so I have a few weeks off but, obviously, it kicks off a couple of weeks afterwards,” Ramsey told Evening Sport.
“A few years ago, Germany won the World Cup and the German players came in just a few days before the first game of the season, but they missed that.”
Mesut Ozil, Per Mertesacker and Lukas Podolski all missed the start of the 2014/15 season following their World Cup 2014 triumph over Argentina.
“[Arsene Wenger] does like to give players a little break and I’ll be getting the same treatment. I feel I need a few weeks off now,” added Ramsey.
Olivier Giroud, Laurent Koscielny and Ozil all played part in the second semi-final on Thursday evening, as France knocked out the World champions.
This means that ahead of their opening fixture, the Gunners could be without four first-team players for their game against Liverpool, whilst Alexis Sanchez may miss the game through an injury he picked up in the Copa America final.
How are the youth players progressing?
Following a loan with Glasgow Rangers, Gedion Zelalem did not train with the first team squad, which raises questions about his role in the coming season – as to whether the American will spend another year out on loan.
Matt Macey, Hugo Keto, Chiori Johnson, Krystian Bielik, Ben Sheaf, Marcus McGuane, Reiss Nelson, Donyell Malen, Stephy Mavididi and Chris Willock all trained with the first-team squad.