Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta has issued a stark warning about the mounting physical strain on players caused by soccer’s relentlessly expanding global calendar. His comments come amid significant fixture congestion for his club, which is competing on multiple fronts.
Arteta stated that all scheduling must be guided by two core principles. “Every decision that we make in terms of a fixture has to be guided by two main things: player welfare and then supporters,” Arteta said. “That’s it. And the rest has to come very, very far away from that.”
He expressed concern that the “grueling” schedule could force managers to field weakened teams in certain tournaments. When asked about this possibility, Arteta replied, “I hope we don’t go that far… If we have that big piece of paper with those two principles there in front before we make any decision — all of us in our industry — we won’t get there. If we don’t, and we just ignore that, then anything is possible.”
His remarks highlight a growing conflict between the commercial growth of the sport, evidenced by expanded formats for the Champions League and World Cup, and the well-being of the players.