Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya has urged the PFA to get involved and help when it comes to the increasing number of games being played.
El Desmarque cover comments from the Arsenal number one today as he gets ready for another international break with Spain.
As the current first choice for his country and for Arsenal, Raya is one of the players whose schedule is growing increasingly busy in the modern game.
He’s already played in 15 games for Arsenal this season across the Premier League and Champions League, while also making four appearances for Spain over the last two international breaks.
Last season he made 41 appearances for Arsenal in all competitions, and three for his country as well as spending the summer at Euro 2024, although he only managed one appearance, a 1-0 win over Albania, while there. Those numbers are likely to be higher this season with him now number one for his country.
He’s part of a growing section of professional players at the top of the game questioning the bigger, heavier workload and calling for changes as injuries start to mount up.
And the Arsenal man believe it’s time for the PFA to step in and take serious action to solve the growing discontent.
“We know that the calendar is what it is, it is very congested for teams that play in all competitions, now also with a Club World Cup in the summer,” he said.
“At least Arsenal are not playing it, but the risk of injury is greater. We players have talked a lot about the subject and the union has to get involved, in our case the PFA (Professional Football Association).
“We are with them, they will help us as much as possible, but we know that it is not from one day to the next. People have to understand that we are people, we are not robots, and an injury can change our lives.”