Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has issued a passionate plea to the Premier League, "begging" for a change in regulations to allow more players to be named in matchday squads from next season. The current rules permit only 18 players per match, a stark contrast to UEFA competitions where a larger contingent of 20 or 23 players is allowed, including substitute goalkeepers.

Arteta’s call for expanded squad sizes is echoed by other prominent managers, including Liverpool boss Arne Slot and Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, highlighting a widespread sentiment among top-flight coaches. Speaking ahead of Arsenal's trip to Leeds United, Arteta articulated the core issue: "At the moment, there are two or three players that have to be out of the squad. That's a reality. I cannot change that."

The Arsenal manager passionately argued that an increase to 20 outfield players, similar to the Champions League format, would be immensely beneficial for multiple reasons. He emphasized that it would be "much better to manage the squad," help "maintain the value of the players," and critically, address the "mental health of the players, because nobody wants to be out of the squad." He further stated, "I beg them from here, like it is in the Champions League, because it's much better to manage the squad, to maintain the value of the players, to maintain the mental health of the players, because nobody wants to be out of the squad. So I beg them that if we can, between all of us, help us on that, we can deal with hotels, travels and all that, and that will be very, very helpful for everybody, because that's the worst thing when you need to leave somebody [out]."

Delving into the psychological impact, Arteta described the unique and challenging aspect of his job: "We have a really unique job, which is we have the ability to transform somebody's life, career, which is great, but as well every week we have to tell somebody 'tomorrow, you don't do the job. You're not even allowed to travel with the team.'" He likened it to an unprecedented scenario in other professions, where an individual is told they cannot participate or even be present for their work without any fault of their own. This decision, he explains, can make a player feel "not good enough" because "your decision is clear. I choose another 20 players in front of you."

Arteta firmly believes this situation is "avoidable." He contends that with the ever-increasing demands on games, bigger squads are a necessity, and restricting their size "doesn't make a lot of sense." Expanding the permissible number of players, in his view, would allow everyone to feel part of the team, enabling coaches to make better choices related to game strategy, manage player minutes more effectively, consider psychological and emotional moments, and adapt tactical changes throughout a match. This, he concludes, would be "better for absolutely everybody."

Beyond matchday squads, Arteta has also previously advocated for broader changes to Premier League rules, suggesting that clubs should be allowed to register more than 25 senior players in their overall squads for the competition. This consistent stance underscores his commitment to optimizing player management and well-being within the demanding environment of professional football.