Arsenal face the prospect of starting the new season without left defender, Gael Clichy who is struggling with a back injury. The Frenchman has not yet featured in any of Arsenal’s pre-season matches and is a doubt ahead of this weekend’s Emirates Cup which sees the London club play Atletico Madrid on Saturday and Scottish champions Rangers on Sunday.

If Clichy is unable to feature in either match it is widely expected he will miss Arsenal’s opening game of the new campaign against Everton at Goodison Park.