Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is unsure how his players will respond midseason.
Arteta admits his players remain fit from last term, but is uncertain of their match fitness as the new campaign draws on.
He explained, "Yes, what we don't know is how they will react when they start to play every three days and when it gets to November, December, January because we put a lot of demands on them. The COVID [situation back in March] was a stop and then full gas they started, and you could see the injury rate went crazily up.
"We are going to try to protect them as much as possible, give them everything we can from the science and physical point of view to be in the best condition to perform."
On the return of fans, the manager added: "We all hope so, we know hoe different the games are without them so if we can do it again, providing it is safe and healthy for our people, then great, let's do it and make it work."
