Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has insisted that his side can overcome a growing injury crisis to defeat Aston Villa in their Premier League opener.
The Gunners have a number of key players unavailable for the new campaign's first fixture, with Mikel Arteta and Bacary Sagna joining Nacho Monreal and Thomas Vermaelen on the sidelines.
Wenger admitted that he finds the negative publicity over a lack of transfer activity "frustrating", while declaring that a side packed with full internationals are capable of edging Villa to start the season in style.
He told the club's official website: "It is a bit frustrating. We just beat Man City 3-1, imagine if we had lost. But what can I do about it? I can only influence what we do on the football pitch.
"If you analyse the quality, we have good players. Eleven internationals will start against Aston Villa and we will have internationals on the bench. That is, for me, what counts.
"A win on the opening day can give you in a good confidence level, we all know that [nowadays] in the Premier League, every game is important and that a good start is vital, especially when you play at home. So we'll put all the effort in to win our first game."
Welsh midfielder Aaron Ramsey pulled out of international duty through injury in midweek but is expected to pass a fitness test and start at the Emirates.
Liam Power
