Arsene Wenger admits Santi Cazorla is likely to miss start of season
The Spaniard was sidelined for the majority of last season after picking up a knee injury in November and seeing his recovery stalled in April with an Achilles problem.
Cazorla managed the first 45 minutes in Arsenal's pre-season win over Chivas on Sunday before being taken off at half-time - and Wenger admitted he is behind the rest of the squad in terms of match fitness.
The Frenchman said of the 31-year-old : "At the moment he is not completely there on the fitness front. That's why I took him off at half-time.
"He's a bit behind the others physically but I think he will be alright, maybe not on Aug. 15, but at the end of August he should be alright."
Arsenal travel to face Norwegian outfit Viking FK on Friday before Manchester City in Sweden, and Wenger added that fellow midfielder Jack Wilshere is an injury concern.
“Jack has a slight problem with his knee,” Wenger said. “We think he should not be very long, he should come back quickly. Maybe next week."
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