Are Arsenal ready for the new season?

The short answer – no. By the time the season comes around? Probably still a no.

It has been a busy summer for Arsenal’s first teamers with many off representing their countries at the European Championships and Copa America which has undoubtedly had an impact with players returning back to training later than usual.

Euro finalists Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, David Raya and Aaron Ramsdale only joined up with the squad on Monday.

Naturally, this has meant that Arsenal’s pre-season training and friendlies have had to go on without some of their most important players.

On the recent US tour, for example, there were no senior goalkeepers.

Tweaks to the tactics, partnerships and fitness will all have a delayed impact and may force Mikel Arteta’s hand when it comes to his week one team selection.

It has also slowed down transfer dealings and any incoming player is now unlikely to start by the time the first game comes around.

Only defender Riccardo Calafiori and youth keeper Tommy Setford have put pen to paper so far, leaving Arteta and Edu with a lot to do.

The majority of fans agree that business still needs to be done in midfield, to ease the burden on Jorginho, lessen the reliance on Thomas Partey and provide support for Martin Odegaard and Rice.

A game-changing forward is another area fans are hopeful for, whether it be a striker or winger, capable of winning games out of nothing like Erling Haaland or Mo Salah.

Meanwhile, Emile Smith Rowe has left to join Fulham, while fellow Hale End graduate Eddie Nketiah has been linked with a move to Marseille.

Players yet to acclimatise and deals still to be done leave the Gunners slightly unprepared as the season draws near, so it’s a big few days and weeks for Arteta and Edu to get everything into shape.

To an extent, every team is in the same boat, and Wolves won’t care one bit if Arsenal aren’t fully prepared for the new season.

But by definition of the number of players away on international duty, the Gunners have more than enough quality to overcome the challenges of the opening few weeks.

Just over one week left until it all kicks off again.