Justin Langer and Mickey Arthur caught up over breakfast in Perth on Wednesday but the friendship will be put on hold when their respective nations clash on the sands of the Emirates.

Arthur and Langer have been long-time friends, with Langer acting as an assistant to Arthur when the latter was in charge of the Australian team in 2012.

Mickey Arthur says there is no such thing as a "weak" Australian Test team.

Each is preparing for the October Test series in the United Arab Emirates, with Arthur to lead Pakistan and Langer set for his maiden Test series in charge of Australia.

Australia will be without four of their top five ranked players. Steve Smith and David Warner are suspended, while fast bowlers Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood are injured.