Koscielny to miss Arsenal opener

Arsenal centre-back Laurent Koscielny will miss the club's Premier League opener Sunday against Liverpool amid speculation the French international would be rushed back to first-team activities after an extended holiday.

With centre-back pairing Per Mertesacker and Gabriel facing protracted spells on the sidelines with injury, Arsenal faces a fitness crisis at the back, prompting talk of an early return for the Euro 2016 runner-up.

"We lost basically three centre-backs because we have Mertesacker, Gabriel and Koscielny, who is not ready, who are out of the game," Arsene Wenger conceded ahead of Sunday's match at the Emirates Stadium.

"I have a few options that you have seen in preseason. That is basically the players we have available at the moment, who are quite young but have a great desire to do well."

The shortage of defenders leaves Wenger in a bind with just Calum Chambers and Rob Holding to choose from for the Reds' visit. Polish teenager Krystian Bielik impressed in the preseason playing at the back instead of his usual defensive midfield spot, though a starting gig Sunday would be a big ask.

Alternatively, Wenger could opt to slide left-back Nacho Monreal into a central positions and have Kieran Gibbs deputise for the Spaniard.

Despite the limited options, Wenger has publicly praised Holding on the heels of a stellar preseason, and appears to have faith in Bolton's reigning Player of the Year

"He has played in the Championship, so that is a good experience - to play centre-back in the Championship - to deal with one level higher."

With a reported move for Valencia's Shkodran Mustafi days away, Wenger will have to make do with the squad he has for Sunday's match as the club look to avoid the perils of recent opening weekend home defeats to West Ham and Aston Villa.