Arsenal star opens up on major concern and suggests radical player pay cut

Elite footballers are tasked with playing more games than ever, and one Arsenal star has raised umbrage with the commitment while suggesting something has to change

Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino has made a statement amid growing concerns surrounding player fatigue in football. The playmaker has even suggested some professionals might accept reduced salaries in exchange for better protection of their physical wellbeing.

The Spain international has highlighted the increasingly congested fixture list, which has drawn criticism from managers including Pep Guardiola. Recent developments such as the expanded FIFA Club World Cup and the introduction of the UEFA Conference League have created even more layers of competition, creating additional excitement for supporters and players.

However, the consequence has been an ever-growing burden on elite footballers, many of whom are becoming increasingly frustrated by the relentless nature of the modern calendar. Merino, 29, understands the toll all too well, having featured regularly for both Arsenal and Spain over recent seasons.

When questioned about whether he's feeling the physical effects as he nears his 30th birthday, the Arsenal ace offered a candid response. And Merino emphasised the sheer volume of fixtures, rather than his age, represents the primary concern regarding 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.

"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 continued by emphasising his own preparation methods and the satisfaction he takes in maintaining peak fitness. Nevertheless, he acknowledged a reduced fixture schedule might be necessary to maximise the entertainment quality of matches moving forward.

He was even asked whether players might need to accept lower salaries to reduce their workload. And the Euro 2024 champion appeared to subtly agree that such an approach could be worth considering.

"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."