Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger admits Mesut Ozil and Aaron Ramsey likely to miss Premier League opener following Community Shield victory

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says Mesut Ozil and Aaron Ramsey are unlikely to be fit for their first league game of the season.

Wenger - who feels Per Mertesacker will be fit for Friday's Premier League opener against Leicester after suffering a cut head when caught by an accidental elbow from Gary Cahill during the Community Shield win over Chelsea - said Ozil sat out the game after picking up a knock in training.

He said the German playmaker has a swollen ankle, and said 'he has little chance to play on Friday night'. 

Arsene Wenger says Mesut Ozil and Aaron Ramsey won't be fit for first league game of season

Arsene Wenger says Mesut Ozil and Aaron Ramsey won't be fit for first league game of season

Ozil sat out the Community Shield win over Chelsea after picking up a knock in training

Ozil sat out the Community Shield win over Chelsea after picking up a knock in training

Alexis Sanchez was also deemed unfit to play, while Aaron Ramsey also has a minor injury

Alexis Sanchez was also deemed unfit to play, while Aaron Ramsey also has a minor injury


Wenger also admitted Ramsey is unlikely to be fit for the Foxes' visit due to a minor calf problem which kept him out of the Wembley win.

Gunners new boy Sead Kolasinac cancelled out Victor Moses' earlier effort as the game finished 1-1 after 90 minutes, before Arsenal won the penalty shoot-out 4-1 under the new ABBA system.

Kolasinac headed Arsenal level eight minutes from time, just moments after Chelsea forward Pedro had been shown a straight red card for a tackle on Mohamed Elneny, and Wenger was delighted with his side's performance.

Petr Cech hailed Arsenal's squad strength after their Community Shield shootout victory

Petr Cech hailed Arsenal's squad strength after their Community Shield shootout victory

Gunners newbie Sead Kolasinac cancelled Victor Moses'  effort before they won on penalties

Gunners newbie Sead Kolasinac cancelled Victor Moses' effort before they won on penalties

'We put ourselves in a difficult position just after half-time, but in the end we produced a performance that we did at the end of last season,' the Frenchman said.

'We were dominating and I just wondered whether we would come back or not, but I think we always looked dangerous.' 

On the impact of summer signings Lacazette and Kolasinac, Wenger added: 'They looked like they adapt very quickly. Lacazette is getting better every week, Sead was very strong last week and when he came on again he played very well.'

Petr Cech hailed Arsenal's squad strength after their Community Shield shootout victory over Chelsea at Wembley.

Kolasinac had come on as a first-half substitute for the injured Per Mertesacker, while Arsenal were without the likes of Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil, Aaron Ramsey and Laurent Koscielny.

Arsenal won without Alexis Sanchez, Ramsey and Ozil, and Cech lauded their strength in depth

Arsenal won without Alexis Sanchez, Ramsey and Ozil, and Cech lauded their strength in depth

Per Mertesacker (centre, right) was forced off in the first half after a heavy challenge

Per Mertesacker (centre, right) was forced off in the first half after a heavy challenge

Cech told BT Sport: 'We were missing a lot of players but it's great to see that everybody is ready to compete for places in the squad for every game,' .

'Sead came in when Per got injured. He had a great game and everyone who came in as a sub helped us keep our quality on the pitch. The most pleasing thing for us is that we showed that we are ready to compete.

'You could see there was a small margin between both teams in the 90 minutes, but we have got to be pleased with our performance because we did really well and got punished for one bounce in the penalty box.

'We showed great composure to come back into the game and then it's penalties and who keeps their cool better.'

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