"Mertersacker, Podolski and Ozil will miss start of season" - Wenger

Arsene Wenger has rewarded his World Cup winning trio, Mesut Ozil, Lukas Podolski and Per Mertersacker with a much deserved break.  

Wenger said:

 "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. Will they be ready? Mertersacker 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 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 holidays to the players, so I don't know how all that works together. It looks impossible for me. A post-World Cup year is always very difficult for every big club because the players have been away."

 The trio would not be returning to pre-season until August 11.