Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has said that midfielder Santi Cazorla is unlikely to be considered for a starting role during the opening weeks of the season.

Cazorla missed the majority of last season through injury and after only lasting 45 minutes of Arsenal's pre-season win over CD Guadalajara, Wenger has acknowledged that the Spaniard is unlikely to start against Liverpool on August 14.

The Frenchman told reporters: "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 August 15, but at the end of August he should be alright."

Cazorla has played just 88 minutes of football since the end of November.