Mikel Arteta, Arsenal coach, is not only aligned with Pep Guardiola in terms of his football ideas, as the strategist Gunner he was Pep’s technical assistant for several seasonsbut also in the claims to the tight schedules for the players.
Some days ago Guardiola blamed the tight calendar imposed by FIFA and the clubs, of the serious injuries suffered at the start of the season by players such as Thibaut Courtois, Kevin De Bruyne and Eder Militao.
Faced with this situation, the Arsenal coach also spoke about it and supported Pep Guardiola’s opinion regarding the strong schedule that the players have to comply with, resulting in injuries in the injuries that are occurring just at the beginning of the season.
“It has also happened to Buendía, to Courtois, to Militao. Something happens. In the past there were also matches, tours, but now there are more matches, more tours, the World Cup, international commitments. It’s a lot, it’s too much for the players”, explained the Spanish coach.
In 2022 it was also a particular year, since the World Cup was held from November to December, the first time in its history, so the calendar had to be adjusted and was even more overloaded. On the other hand already in this 2023 there will be 6 FIFA dates between September and November.
“It is very demanding for the players, it is better not to look at the calendar for the next 36 months because it is incredible what they are going to have to do”. He released Arteta, who called for a middle ground, although he also stated that it is too late to change the calendar.
“We have to take care of it, but as a club, when do you do it? Prioritizing other competitions? What would have to happen is that we sit down and talk about it, but I think it’s late; for the next 36 months it is already too late. I don’t know who has to raise their voices, but there is concern”, closed the coach.
Arteta’s Arsenal won 2-1 in their Premier League debut against Nottingham Forest, and next Monday, August 21, they will visit Crystal Palace for date 2 of the English championship.
Keep reading:
· Guardiola exploits and attributes the injuries of Courtois, Militao and De Bruyne to the number of matches on the calendars
· Kevin De Bruyne could miss several months of action with Manchester City as a result of a serious injury
· Arsenal reacts at the last minute and snatches the Community Shield from Manchester City on penalties (Videos)
