Arsenal manager Arteta urges Premier League to expand matchday squads

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has urged the Premier League to expand the size of match‑day squads, arguing that the current limit of 20 players, including a minimum of three home‑grown names, harms player welfare. Arteta said that the practice of “dropping” players from squads for individual matches can negatively affect their mental and physical well‑being, and that clubs should be allowed to name larger squads to better manage the demands of modern football.

In contrast, top‑flight leagues in Europe allow considerably larger rosters. La Liga teams can name 23 players for each game, while Serie A teams are permitted 25. Arsenal have been competing on multiple fronts in recent seasons, winning the Premier League last year and reaching the Champions League and Carabao Cup finals, as well as the FA Cup quarter‑finals. Arteta believes that English clubs should not be disadvantaged by a smaller squad size when other European teams operate with more extensive rosters.

Arsenal’s appeal reflects growing concerns over fixture congestion and player health. Should the Premier League revise its squad rules, it could align English football more closely with its continental counterparts and provide clubs with greater flexibility to protect player wellbeing.