• Premier League

Fitness worries mount for Arsenal

ESPN staff
July 30, 2012
Olivier Giroud linked up with Arsenal following Euro 2012 © Getty Images
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Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has revealed he could be without new signings Olivier Giroud and Lukas Podolski for the start of the Premier League season.

Wenger confirmed at the weekend that key midfielder Jack Wilshere is unlikely to be available until October as the youngster continues his rehabilitation from a long-term ankle injury.

The French coach has so far bolstered his squad with attacking pair Giroud and Podolski, but the duo are seemingly doubtful for the beginning of the new campaign following their involvement at Euro 2012.

"Podolski and Giroud may take longer than expected," Wenger said in the Daily Mail. "I cannot play them in pre-season, so I will ease them in the Premier League."

Wenger went on to rue the absences of Bacary Sagna, who is recovering from a foot injury, and Tomas Rosicky, who has undergone surgery on an Achilles complaint.

He added: "Sagna will be short for the start of the season and Rosicky will not be back until September, in my opinion. Rosicky did fantastically well for us at the end of the season, so it is a big blow. The injury he has got comes from the European Championship."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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