Wilshere and two new signings to miss Arsenal kick-off

Michael Lintorn
30 July 2012

Jack Wilshere's last competitive game was for England last June

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Arsenal won't have Jack Wilshere back until October, while Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud could start the season on the bench...

"Even if van Persie departs, it isn’t implausible that Podolski and Giroud will account for his 30 league goals (they managed a combined 39 last season). Arsenal are 16.015/1 to win the Premier League."

Arsenal's chances of avoiding the sort of turbulent start that limited their ambitions last season have been scuppered by confirmation that Jack Wilshere won't be available until the autumn at the earliest.

The England midfielder hasn't played a competitive match since June 2011 because of a persistent ankle problem and Arsene Wenger conceded that he is still some distance shy of returning by stating "hopefully, we will get Wilshere back playing for October".

Given that the Frenchman's predicted injury recovery times tend to be a tad optimistic, it is a far from encouraging development albeit widely expected, as the 20-year-old was much missed in 2011/12 as Aaron Ramsey struggled for form.

Wenger has pointed to the comeback of Abou Diaby, who also failed to start a Premier League game last term, as a reason for positivity, yet he is as prone to diabolical displays as midfield masterclasses and unlikely to make the sort of impact that Wilshere plausibly could.

A more surprising but similarly alarming insight into Arsenal's approach to the first few weeks was Wenger's revelation that he will have to consider gradually integrating summer arrivals Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud due to their lack of pre-season preparation.

While that won't be a major concern if captain Robin van Persie stays, the PFA player of the year is rated 1.364/11 to leave during this window. His exit could leave them desperately short on options with Wenger planning to offload Nicklas Bendtner, Park Chu-Young and possibly Andrey Arshavin.

There is plenty for Gunners fans and backers to be upbeat about too though, with Malaga playmaker Santi Cazorla reportedly determined to push through a move to the Emirates.

The first month or two might be tough but, as they showed last season, that needn't be a campaign-breaker, and as things stand, they will be adding Diaby, Wilshere, Podolski, Giroud and maybe Cazorla to a group that finished 2011/12 strongly.

Even if van Persie departs, it isn't implausible that Podolski and Giroud will account for his 30 league goals (they managed a combined 39 last season). Arsenal are 16.015/1 to win the Premier League.

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