Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has publicly called on league officials to expand the size of Premier League match day squads. The fact that the issue of congestion in the fixtures and welfare of its players has taken over the realm of the England football discussion, has made Arteta premier league team line-ups a topic of growing concern.
The current number of players who can be named in a squad on any particular matchday is 20 players by a club. This comprises of 11 starters and nine substitutes. The substitutions are limited to five substitutions by managers in the game. There is only one more change allowed as a suspected concussion.
Arteta feels that the present system has unjustified pressure. He says that players are mentally affected when omitted. He also believes that the size of the squad has implications on the value of players and their performance in the long run. Arteta argued that the version of the game that requires a more modern reflection in the Premier League squads should be applied in the future.
The Arsenal manager pointed to the recent difficulties in choices. New acquisition Christian Norgaard has already been unable to make matchday squads. Arteta confessed that these are hard decisions. He pointed out that omission of players is not about strategy. Rather, it is a restriction founded on rules.
Arteta also likened the premier league to that of Europe. Champions league The number of players that can be registered by teams to play on matchdays is 23. This consists of other outfield players and goalkeepers. He thinks that this structure will enable increased rotation and morale management of the squad.
The appeal was by the Arsenal manager in an emotional manner. He claimed that managers have to let players down on a weekly basis. Such a situation, he claimed, affects confidence and mental health. In his opinion, the Arteta Premier League teams must be developed to defend players instead of isolating them.
Logistical issues were also disregarded by him. He said it would not be a problem in terms of travel, accommodation and matchday operations. During matches in Europe, clubs already have larger groups under their management. On his part, there is no downside that is practical.
