Arsenal may again have to do without both Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil in their Premier League opener on Friday night.
The Gunners’ star duo were both absent from the Community Shield clash with Chelsea on Sunday, won 4-1 on penalties by Arsenal after a 1-1 draw in 90 minutes.
Sanchez has not featured at all in pre-season and only recently returned to the Emirates from his summer break. His future remains in question as he continues to refuse to commit to a new deal at the club, and is believed to be keen on a move to Manchester City.
Ozil has been in action, but missed the match with an ankle knock, sustained in training during the last week. The duo watched from the sidelines at Wembley.
Now both could miss out when Leicester come calling in the first match of the 2017-18 Premier League campaign.
Speaking on Sunday after seeing his side come from behind to pip last season’s title winners, Wenger said that while Sanchez could feature despite a lack of match fitness, Ozil has “little” chance of recovering in time.
“Alexis is short of competition,” declared the Frenchman when asked whether last season’s top scorer will return against Leicester.
“Mesut [Ozil] has a swollen ankled after taking a kick on his ankle. He has a little chance to play on Friday night.”
Aaron Ramsey has also been struggling with a calf injury, but Wenger says the Welshman "has a chance" of returning to the squad.
Per Mertesacker, who left the Community Shield early on with a nasty cut on his forehead after a clash with Gary Cahill and required stitches could play - if given the all clear by the Gunners’ medical team.
"I will have to speak with medical about that, it doesn’t look that bad."