Captain Cesc Fabregas and striker Robin van Persie may not have regained full fitness by the time Arsenal travel to Anfield for the opening game of the new season.
The duo played in the final of the 2010 World Cup, and van Persie took part in all of the Netherlands' matches, whilst Fabregas was used sparingly as a substitute.
The duo are currently on extended leave and have not taken part in pre-season training with the rest of the squad. They will also miss the Emirates Cup this weekend.
The compromise Wenger may take would be to have both of them on the bench, ready to be called on should things start to go pear-shaped at Anfield.
Wenger said: "Fabregas and van Persie are due to come back on 5 August and from then on we will see how much build-up work is needed physically and as well how they have recovered mentally from the World Cup.
"They might be short for the first game [of the season] but I don't know.
"That will depend on the fitness work that they have done during the holiday."
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