Mesut Ozil, Lukas Podolski and Per Mertesacker were part of Joachim Low's all-conquering squad in Brazil, but they look set to be absent for Arsenal's game against Crystal Palace on August 16.
World governing body FIFA implements a mandatory four-week break for players after the World Cup, meaning the trio will have limited training time before the Palace clash.
Manager Arsene Wenger said: "I have given them a good break because I have experience of players who have been in the World Cup Final. You need a rest.
"Will they be ready? Mertesacker prepares well - but I don't think they will be ready for August 16."
Wenger would have liked the Germans back earlier, but understands it is near impossible in a World Cup year.
"From FIFA we are obliged to give four weeks' holiday to the players, so I don't know how all that works together. It looks impossible to me," he said.
"A post-World Cup year is always very difficult for every big club because the players have been away."
Arsenal face the New York Red Bulls in a friendly on Saturday.
‘Newcastle’s board said I was over the hill, so I left and played 108 consecutive games and won the European Cup – not a bad way to answer that accusation!’: Ex-Magpies defender reflects on career highlight after proving former side wrong
‘Parma viewed him as the perfect replacement for Adrian Mutu, who’d left to sign for Chelsea. But Manchester United’s interest was much more concrete’: Cristiano Ronaldo's 2003 transfer details revealed by former Sporting director of football
