Plenty to think about: Wenger has endured a frustrating pre-season

Van Persie went down under a heavy challenge shortly after putting Arsenal in front in the first half and was not risked in the second. 'It's a joint problem, though I don't know how bad it is,' said Wenger. 'Gibbs is injured, Vermaelen is injured, that's the negative side of the night.'

Wenger, whose team conceded goals to Benfica substitutes Pablo Aimar and Nolito inside four dazzling second-half minutes, will not be happy to hear that Van Persie's Holland coach is insisting that he will pick a full-strength side for the friendly at Wembley.

Last season Van Persie and Dirk Kuyt missed large parts of the campaign after picking up injuries on international duty.

Although he is fed up with talking about the futures of Fabregas and Nasri, Wenger made it clear, in a single sentence, how important they are to Arsenal's hopes of a strong campaign. 'Hopefully we can keep them both,' said the manager.

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