Mikel Arteta has urged the Premier League to extend the same fixture protection given to Champions League teams to all top-flight clubs, after Arsenal were scheduled to play Aston Villa on Saturday lunchtime following a Wednesday night match. The Arsenal manager highlighted the 63-hour gap between the final whistle of their 3-1 defeat to Manchester City and the kick-off at Villa Park, arguing it hampers recovery and increases injury risk.
Arteta pointed out that since May 2021, teams playing in the Champions League on Wednesday are not required to play before 3pm on the following Saturday. “I think that should apply to any competition,” he said. “Talking physiologically, it is very difficult in that period to get the best outcome and reduce the injury risk for players.”
The Spaniard insisted he was not making excuses, saying his team will have “full energy” to face Aston Villa, managed by his predecessor Unai Emery. However, he noted that Manchester City, who leapfrogged Arsenal at the top of the table, kick off at Nottingham Forest at 3pm on Saturday, giving them more recovery time.
Arsenal are enduring a poor run, with one point from their last three games and only two wins from six. Arteta called for more sharpness in both boxes. “It’s about what we do tomorrow, the energy we have to play with and how we’re going to continue to believe in what we do,” he said. “And to be more efficient.”
Thomas Partey will be tested after missing the City game with a thigh injury, but Jorginho is likely to continue in midfield. Emile Smith Rowe could return, and Leandro Trossard is an option to replace Gabriel Martinelli. Arteta welcomed the idea that neutrals might support Arsenal in the title race, saying: “Before the season, if you had to bet on someone … a lot of people would have done something different.”
