Arsene Wenger: 'Young Arsenal centre-backs will cope with Liverpool'

Arsene Wenger has claimed that Arsenal will be able to cope with Liverpool in their first Premier League game of the season despite not having a senior centre-back available for selection.

The Gunners kick off their campaign at home on Sunday without the injured duo of Per Mertesacker and Gabriel, while Laurent Koscielny is set to be rested following his exploits for France at Euro 2016.

Wenger is expected to name a centre-back partnership of Calum Chambers, 21, and new signing Rob Holding, 20, and believes that they will be able to put in a solid performance.

"I have a few options at the back that you have seen in pre-season. It's basically the players we have available, that are quite young. But they want to do well," Wenger told a press conference on Friday.

"Rob [Holding] has played in the Championship. That's a good experience for a centre-back, to deal with one level higher."

Arsenal are currently said to be in talks with Valencia over Germany defender Shkodran Mustafi.