Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is calling for an increase in matchday squad sizes, citing player welfare and the demands of a busy football calendar.
Key facts
- •Premier League clubs are currently limited to a 20-player matchday squad, including at least three homegrown players.
- •Arsenal registered 25 senior players for the season, requiring five to be left out of every matchday squad.
- •Arteta stated that the current rules do not help the club or the players' sense of involvement.
- •The Arsenal manager argued that larger squads are necessary to sustain the demands of international and domestic competition.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has requested that the Premier League increase the size of matchday squads beyond the current limit of 20 players. Arteta argues that the current restriction is detrimental to player welfare, particularly as teams face an increasing number of matches across multiple competitions.
By the numbers
Comparison with European Leagues
Arteta noted that other major European leagues allow for larger matchday squads, with La Liga permitting 23 players and Serie A allowing 25. He stated that he has researched top European clubs and found that 90% of them operate with more players than English teams, suggesting that the Premier League should align with these standards to better manage player demands.
Impact on Player Wellbeing
Under current Premier League rules, clubs can register 25 senior players for the season, meaning five players are excluded from each matchday squad. Arteta described the process of informing players they are not involved as difficult, noting that it negatively affects their wellbeing and valuation. He emphasized that players generally want to be part of the matchday experience to fulfill their professional roles.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by Guardian Football.
