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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Sam Cunningham

Mikel Arteta ‘begging’ Premier League to expand 20-man matchday squads

Mikel Arteta watches on as his Arsenal side play Como in preseason
Mikel Arteta believes larger matchday squads will help with players’ mental wellbeing. Photograph: Ian Stephen/Every Second Media/Shutterstock

Arsenal have asked the Premier League to increase the size of matchday squads, with Mikel Arteta saying the current system is detrimental to player welfare. Top‑flight clubs can name 20 players for games, including a minimum of three homegrown players. In Spain’s La Liga, clubs can name a matchday squad of 23, while Italy’s Serie A allows 25.

Arsenal have competed on multiple fronts in recent seasons. Last year, as well as winning the Premier League, they reached the finals of the Champions League and Carabao Cup, as well as the quarter-finals of the FA Cup. With pressure increasing on the football calendar and players facing more matches, Arteta sees no reason why English teams should operate with smaller squads than those from other European leagues.

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