Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says he has been begging the Premier League to expand matchday squads beyond 20 players, arguing the current limit harms player welfare.
English top-flight clubs can name 20 players per game, including at least three homegrown, while La Liga allows 23 and Serie A 25.
"I've been begging the Premier League if we can extend those numbers just for the welfare of the players, which is the most important thing, because I think every squad needs more than 20 outfield players, ideally, to sustain the level of demand in international games that we have," Arteta said ahead of the champions' trip to Aston Villa on Monday night.
Arsenal competed on four fronts last term, winning the Premier League and reaching the Champions League and Carabao Cup finals, plus the FA Cup quarter-finals.
Clubs register 25 senior players over 21 for the season, with at least eight homegrown, meaning five senior names miss out each matchday.
Arteta admitted telling a player they are not even in the travelling party is tough on everyone.
"It's a real issue that has a really simple solution," he said, noting 90 percent of Europe's top clubs run larger squads than Premier League sides.
Why is Arteta pushing for bigger matchday squads?
Arteta believes the 20-man limit hurts player wellbeing, club valuation and dressing-room unity, and points out that La Liga permits 23 and Serie A 25.
What did Arteta say about telling players they are dropped?
The Arsenal boss said leaving registered players out of the matchday squad is tough on the individual, the club and the player's value, and called for a simple rule change.
With the Gunners juggling the league, Champions League and domestic cups again, expect this debate to run all season in the Premier League.
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Source: The Guardian
