“I honestly think it’s a dangerous thing” - Arsenal star Jurrien Timber hits out at fixture pile up ahead of UEFA Champions League clash against PSG
Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber spoke out against the Gunners' fixture pileup ahead of their upcoming UEFA Champions League match against Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). Players are now expected to play more games than ever before, as competitions have gotten a redesign in recent years.
The FIFA Club World Cup, which formerly saw the European team that won the Champions League play just two games, will now be a month-long affair. It won't just include the current winners of the Champions League, but former winners as well. Rather than two games, as many as seven games could be played in the coming summer.
The UEFA Champions League has also seen a revamp, having added more teams and switched from a group stage to a league stage design. Now, rather than six group-stage games to determine who enters the knockout stages, teams have to play eight games in the league stage, alongside another couple games in the playoff stages, before the knockout stage starts.
The FIFA World Cup has also been redesigned with more teams, which will only mean more games for players who go on international duty. The continually increasing number of games has been slammed by a number of players, including Manchester City midfielder Rodri, who spoke about going on strike.
Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber was asked about this, and he made it clear that he agreed with going on strike. Speaking to the press ahead of their UEFA Champions League match against PSG, he said (via Tribal Football):
“I totally agree with them. It’s a big topic at the moment in dressing rooms, not only at City and Liverpool but also our dressing room. I didn’t play last season, so I’m just enjoying playing right now - you won’t hear me complaining but I totally understand what they’re saying.
“I honestly think it’s a dangerous thing. Last week, we played City and I think they played again two days later, that’s too much. I understand why players are complaining.”
Indeed, after Manchester City played Arsenal in a 2-2 draw on September 22 at Etihad Stadium, they had a match only two days later. They invited Watford to the Etihad on September 24, beating them 2-1, with players like Jeremy Doku and John Stones partaking in both games.
Jurrien Timber responds to Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta speaking out for players ahead of UEFA Champions League fixture
Jurrien Timber also agreed with Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, who had urged footballing bodies to listen to players. The Gunners boss said (via Tribal Football):
“I think they are raising their voices and I think we have to listen to them."
Timber responded positively to the manager's words, telling the press ahead of their UEFA Champions League match against PSG:
“It’s a really good point (by Arteta). The players are speaking right now and let their voices be heard. It doesn’t look like it’s getting any less (busy) at the moment.
“We’re just trying to be there every game to give our best, but it gets hard when the games keep coming and coming. Especially in England, without having a winter break, it’s really hard.”
Arsenal will invite PSG to Emirates Stadium on October 1, as they look to pick up their first win in the UEFA Champions League campaign this season.