Arsene Wenger bemoans 'impossible' pre-season after World Cup... Sportsmail looks at how long Arsenal boss has with his stars before Crystal Palace season opener

• e-mail

The season hasn't even started yet, but Arsene Wenger has already had his say about Arsenal's busy schedule.

Speaking in New York ahead of Saturday's pre-season friendly against New York Red Bulls, the Arsenal manager said: 'A post-World Cup year is always very difficult and short.

'The World Cup final was July 13 and the start of the Premier League is August 16.

VIDEO Scroll down to watch The highlights of Arsenal's pre-season so far

Impossible: Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has criticised post-World Cup pre-season scheduling

Talking tactics: Arsenal are on a US tour during their pre-season and face New York Red Bulls on Saturday

New arrivals: Big money signings Alexis Sanchez (right) and Mathieu Debuchy (left) are yet to train with Arsenal

Missing? Germany World Cup winners Lukas Podolski (left), Per Mertesacker (centre) and Mesut Ozil (right) will return to pre-season training just five days before the season and could miss the game with Crystal Palace

'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.'

But does he have a point? He has already revealed his World Cup winning trio of Mesut Ozil, Per Mertesacker and Lukas Podolski are likely to miss the season opener against Crystal Palace.

While big money new signings Alexis Sanchez and Mathieu Debuchy are yet to even start pre-season training due to their World Cup exertions.

Here, Sportsmail looks at the length of time Wenger will have with his players before the big kick-off on August 16.

Pre-season: For the Arsenal players who have returned, they have been able to complete a full schedule

Tour: Arsenal are currently in New York and they will face former star Thierry Henry on Saturday

Wojciech Szczesny - returned on July 7

Was among the first batch of players to return to London Colney following Poland's failure to qualify for Brazil 2014.

Mathieu Debuchy - due back from August 1

Wenger is yet to work with his new first-choice right-back after France fell at the quarter-final stage.

Time off: Goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny (centre) has been available for all of Arsenal's pre-season schedule

Carl Jenkinson - returned on July 7

The club's reserve right-back is well into his pre-season preparations due to his lack of international commitments.

Per Mertesacker - due back from August 11

Has been keeping himself fit during his summer holidays but just five days of training before the Palace clash is unlikely to be enough.

Available: Carl Jenkinson (right) does not have any international commitments and has travelled to the US

Laurent Koscielny - due back from Aug 1

Will be a key player for the Gunners next season, but Wenger is yet to spend any time with his central defender yet this summer.

Thomas Vermaelen - due back from Aug 2

Wenger will have to wait until next month to gave face-to-face talks with the Belgian over his uncertain future.

Wantaway: Thomas Vermaelen will have showdown talks with boss Wenger when he returns for pre-season

Kieran Gibbs - returned on July 7

Many say he was unlucky not to be not he plane to Brazil, but England's loss has been Arsenal's gain.

Nacho Monreal - returned on July 7

Has lost his place in Spain's plans, but a full pre-season could help him regain his international place.

Fresh: Left-back Kieran Gibbs was not selected by Roy Hodgson for England so has had a full pre-season

Mikel Arteta - returned on July 7

His failure to secure a single cap for Spain remains a mystery, but Wenger will be glad to have his midfielder on board.

Aaron Ramsey - returned on July 7

Like Ryan Giggs and Gareth Bale, may never get the chance to showcase his talents on the biggest stage, but at least Arsenal have him for the whole summer.

Key: Aaron Ramsey enjoyed a wonderful season last year and he has been able to complete a full pre-season

Big stage: Aaron Ramsey (right) is unlikely to represent Wales at a major tournament

Talisman: Mikel Arteta (left) will be ready and available for Arsenal's season opener with Crystal Palace

Mathieu Flamini - returned on July 7

There was talk of an international recall for the Frenchman last year but it didn't materialise.

Abou Diaby - returned July 7

Fit again after another injury-hit season. The summer will be vital to the Frenchman in his pursuit of consistent fitness next term.

Outcast: Mathieu Flamini was not wanted for the France World Cup squad so has been back for pre-season

Jack Wilshere - returned July 17

Wasn't due back until July 20, but returned three days early following his controversial trip to Las Vegas.

Tomas Rosicky - returned July 7

The Czech Republic's failure to qualify for the World Cup will result in the midfielder having a full pre-season under his belt.

Driven: Jack Wilshere (right) represented England at the World Cup but is back in pre-season training

Free: Tomas Rosicy has enjoyed a full pre-season after Czech Republic failed to qualify for the World Cu[p

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain - returned July 20

Was part of England's poor World Cup, but didn't play after picking up a knee injury in one of the warm-up matches. Has missed the trip to New York to work on his fitness.

Alexis Sanchez - due back from July 28

The £30million signing from Barcelona will travel with his new team-mates to their pre-season training camp in Austria next week.

Fit: Arsenal benefited from England's early World Cup exit as Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has been at pre-season

Santi Cazorla - returned on July 20

Spain's unexpected early exit from the World Cup means the diminutive forward has returned far earlier than expected.

Lukas Podolski - due back from August 11

Part of the Germany trio that will returned just five days before the season-opener against Palace.

Back: Spain were eliminated from the World Cup early so Santi Cazorla is on the pre-season tour

Mesut Ozil - due back from August 11

After a inconsistent first season with Arsenal, manager Wenger would have wanted more time with his record signing during pre-season.

Olivier Giroud - Due back from August 1

The club's central striker played second fiddle to Karim Benzema at the World Cup, so should be raring to go when he reports back.

Soon to return: Olivier Giroud has yet to start pre-season with Arsenal but will join up with the squad soon

And not forgetting….

Theo Walcott

Is expected to start full training after a serious knee injury at the end of next month. Will be like a new signing when he is finally match fit.

Fitness: Theo Walcott will not return to full training until the end of August so will be unavailable for August 16

Stretcher: Walcott (centre) severely injured his knee during Arsenal's 2-0 win over Tottenham in January