Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino and Manchester City’s Rodri were teammates as Spain lifted the EURO 2024 trophy. Rodri complained about the football calendar before the new season began.
Other footballers in Europe’s top leagues also voiced their complaints about the calendar. With the new Swiss style format in the Champions League, and a new Club World Cup tournament at the end of the season, players will face even more games in the 2024/25 season.
Manchester City midfielder Rodri picked up an ACL injury against Arsenal in September just weeks after he commented on the number of games this season.
Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber touched on the issue too:
“The players are speaking right now and let their voices be heard. It doesn’t look like it’s getting any less (busy) at the moment. We’re just trying to be there every game to give our best, but it gets hard when the games keep coming and coming.
“Especially in England without having a winter break, it’s really hard.”
Bournemouth v Arsenal Premier League 19/10/2024. Mikel Merino 23 of Arsenal battles for possession with Lewis Cook 4 of AFC Bournemouth during the Premier League match between Bournemouth and Arsenal at the Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth, England on 19 October 2024. Bournemouth Vitality Stadium Dorset England Editorial use only DataCo restrictions apply See www.football-dataco.com , Copyright: xGrahamxHuntx PSI-20632-0042
Merino made his first appearance for Arsenal in their 2-0 win over Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League. The midfielder was injured for over four weeks after a freak accident in training.
The 28-year old who has played just three games for the Gunners so far, says he is happy to play more games this season despite the fixture congestion in the European football calendar:
“About the games, it has been a difficult topic, a tricky topic for the past few months if you will say. It’s a difficult one because obviously we are players, I love to play football, I don’t even care how much I have to rest or not rest because whenever there’s a ball at my feet I feel happy.”
Mikel Merino missed just six league games for Real Sociedad last season, and relishes the challenge to play more games and enjoy his football.
“At the same time, we’re reaching a level where players are getting injured and the level of the game is not at the highest point because of resting, so I think it’s in the best for everyone to get to a point where we can keep playing, keep giving spectacle because if players are not rested there are going to be injuries. Everybody wants to see the big names perform and do all these amazing tricks and be high quality football. Hopefully we can get to an agreement and get to a point where everybody’s happy and we can keep going and enjoy football.”
Arsenal are looking to bounce back from the loss to Bournemouth; Mikel Merino has revealed what Mikel Arteta told the team after the game.
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