Wenger: Ozil, Mertesacker and Podolski Will Miss Arsenal's Opening Game Against Crystal Palace

Arsene Wenger has confirmed the World Cup winning trio of Mesut Ozil, Per Mertesacker and Lukas Podolski will miss Arsenal's opening game of the season.

The Gunners will host Crystal Palace at the Emirates as they begin the new campaign to challenge for the league title next season. Ozil, Mertesacker and Podolski were part of the German team which won the 2014 Fifa World Cup earlier this month.

Germany defeated Argentina 1-0 in the finals on 13 July and the Premier League season kick-starts on 16 August. The German internationals are currently on a holiday after winning the prestigious trophy with their national side and will return for pre-season training later in August.

Wenger believes it will be too early for him to include Ozil, Mertesacker and Podolski in Arsenal's first match against Palace.

"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 Daily Mail quoted Wenger as saying.

"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 13th 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," the Arsenal manager concluded.

The Gunners have already completed two signings in the ongoing transfer window, having added Alexis Sanchez and Mathieu Debuchy. The former Barcelona forward and the left-back could make their first league debut for Arsenal at the Emirates.