Arsenal ace breaks rank to suggest players take pay cut as huge concern emerges

The fatigue forced on footballers amid an increasingly congested calendar has become a topic of fierce debate, and one Arsenal talent has put his head above the parapet addressing the issue

Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino has spoken out on the issue of fatigue in football amid rising concerns over player welfare. And the Spain star has suggested some athletes may be willing to reduce their weekly wage if it means preserving their health.

The football schedule is packed with more fixtures than ever before, leading the likes of Pep Guardiola to scrutinise the number of matches. Fans recently witnessed the importance of the expanded FIFA Club World Cup, while the introduction of the UEFA Conference League has added a third tier of European competition for fans and players alike to get excited about.

The drawback effect of that, however, is even more commitments for the top stars, many of whom may already be disheartened at the lack of respite in the calendar. Merino, 29, knows the impact all too well after playing a prominent role for Arsenal and Spain in recent years.

And the playmaker gave his honest account when recently asked whether he feels the wear and tear accumulating as he approaches 30. However, Merino placed a greater emphasis on match commitments rather than his age being a factor in fatigue.

“Well, I’ve said it quite a few times lately because it’s a topic that comes up often,” he told La Media Inglesa. “And rightly so, because it’s something that needs to be talked about and because it’s getting a bit out of hand to a certain extent, the number of matches being played.

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“I understand that it has to be a compromise between putting on a show for the spectators, which is why so many matches are played, because people want that show, and also because, from a business point of view it’s very profitable. But on a personal level, the only thing you can do is try to take care of yourself so that you’re in the best possible shape.

“In the long term, I think this will change and there will come a time when, one way or another, a middle ground will be reached where players are in the best shape possible, so that those matches are of high quality.

“Because there comes a point where injuries and fatigue make the matches boring to watch because there’s no rhythm, because there are no chances, because players get injured, the game stops a lot, because we need to recover from one effort to the next. So, what is better for the fans?”

Merino went on to highlight his personal preparation and the pride he holds in keeping himself fit. However, he couldn’t get away from the suggestion that fewer matches may be required in order to get the most entertainment value out of games going forward.

It was even put to the Gunners star that players might have to accept a reduction in wages in order to cut down the workload. And the Euro 2024 winner appeared in subtle agreement with the suggestion that may be a route worth exploring.

“Well, that’s very personal, isn’t it? Priorities in life are not the same for everyone, and once you’ve got used to a certain status or a certain amount of money, it’s difficult to go down from there,” he said.

“But whether you like it or not, when you think ahead about what you’re going to have in the future, maybe having more money isn’t worth it if you don’t have a knee to be able to go running with your friends or play 7-a-side football or be with your children or grandchildren, right? So everyone has their priorities, but of course it’s also a very valid way of seeing how things can work in the future.”

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