A football match lasts 90 minutes, but Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta believes it is a “very real possibility” they could be shortened in the future.
Whether that is 80 minutes, 60 minutes or whatever number is unclear. And there's certainly little in the works from the game's governing bodies.
But with the Champions League group stage expanded from six to eight matches this season and Manchester City star Rodri – before tearing his cruciate ligament, ruling him out for the season – warned players they could strike as there is even more pressure falls on the shoulders of players. congestion is a growing moan among players and managers. Arsenal's Jurrien Timber, who was sidelined for nine months last season with a knee injury, has also described the current fixture list as “dangerous”.
Now, ahead of his side's Premier League match against Everton at the Emirates on Saturday, Arteta raised the possibility of the matches being shortened.
When asked how football could develop in the future, the Spaniard said: “It will be very limited and very related to new regulations and new rules. Because given the number of games we will have to play, the type of team you will have will be crucial.”
It was then put to Arteta that matches could be shortened to avoid injuries amid the increased number of matches. He replied: “That is an option. We've changed the format of the Champions League so we can play more games, home and away, so it's a very real possibility, I think.”
Arsenal host the Toffees in their third match of seven this month, leaving them six points behind Liverpool at the top of the Premier League after one game in hand.
They do so with Bukayo Saka in red-hot form after putting Monaco to the sword with a Champions League double in midweek, taking his direct goalscoring contribution for the season to a remarkable 21 so far. Only Mohamed Salah, with 28, has achieved that. more managed among Premier League players.
Now there are questions surrounding the England international's future – with suggestions he could play a central role, ala Lionel Messi, in his quest for ever-higher performances. Arteta responded: “That will very much depend on the qualities and the players around him.
“For someone to be inside instead of outside, someone has to be outside and that player, that full-back, that attacking midfielder and nine has to give the space to do that. But I am certainly open to continuing to develop players.”
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