Jurrien Timber might be enjoying life back on the pitch but he backs players who’ve publicly expressed concerns about football’s ever-growing calendar.
Earlier this month Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson said players were “tired” of more games being added to the schedule while Manchester City defender Manuel Akanji joked about retiring at 30 after teammate Rodri had suggested players could go on strike.
As if to underline the stress and strain on footballer’s bodies, the latter, who played 63 games for club and country last season, suffered an ACL injury just days later and now faces nine months on the sidelines.
Timber’s support comes on the same day FIFA announced more details for their expanded Club World Cup competition, to be played in the USA between 15 June to 13 July, and ahead of the second match week of the Champions League which now incorporates eight games instead of six in at the group phase.
“I totally agree with them, I think it’s a big topic in dressing rooms, not only at City and Liverpool but also our dressing room,” said Timber.
“I didn’t play last season, so I’m just enjoying playing now but I totally understand what they are saying.”
Asked if players are at increased risk of injury, he continued: “Definitely, I think it’s honestly a dangerous thing. Even last week, I think we played City [on Sunday] and City played two days later again [in the Carabao Cup], I think that’s too much. I understand why these players are complaining.
“I think it’s a really good thing that the players are speaking out now, let their voices be heard because it doesn’t look like it [the calendar] is getting any less.
“We’re trying to be there every game and give our best but it gets hard if the games are coming and coming, especially in England without a winter break. I think it’s really hard.”
Not only is Timber having to deal with games coming every three days, he knows there’s no room for standards to drop given Arsenal want to compete for titles both at home and on the continent.
“I’ve done it with Ajax, of course, but this is a whole different level,” said the 23-year-old.
“I’m not just realising that now because I’m just playing now. I watched the team from a distance and they were like machines if I look at them last year.
“We have to be this year the same because our competition, our opponents that want the same things are machines as well. We have to be at that level every time. It’s not easy but I think we have a really good squad, good staff and good fans that will push us all the way through.”
Asked if the schedule is as much a mental challenge as a physical one, he made clear that the latter remains a clear factor.
“I think both, it’s physical stuff as well. We played two days ago, we all know how many games we have to play, so physical stuff, but mentally it’s also really tough.
“Me, I’m just enjoying it right now because I couldn’t play last year and now I’m playing games, so I’m just enjoying that.”
NOT THE RODRI CURSE NOOOOOOOOOO
Don’t worry. That was just karma for the Martin Odegaard challenge in the international friendlies last March.
And City fans berate us for not being sympathetic.
City fans want sympathy? Just off the top of my head I can think of about 115 reasons why they can get stuffed.
Exactly, they spent a huge amount to have two first teams which could win the premier league and they are crying.
They could easily bring down their minutes per player and still be wildly competitive.
Everyone else however…
So that means Timber is available for tomorrow. What about California, as someone on Arsenal Vision usually calls him? Lol
Calafiori trained today and looked perfect. Dreamy, even.
We’re all enjoying you playing mate, you are an absolute baller!
Agree with the sentiments too, I think we’ll see the squad sizes getting gradually a bit bigger over the coming seasons to deal with the constant nature of this beautiful but baffling game.
Sadly, that will only mean that big clubs like ours get stronger and the “smaller” outfits find it harder to compete for the main prizes, unless they’re lucky, very cleverly run, or probably a bit of both.
This is such a great point.
All we’re going to see is an effective closed shop of super clubs. It’s inevitable that some form of international league will be pushed for again in the future.
FIFA and UEFA are disgusting, greedy, self serving bastards. It makes me so sad to see what football has become and the journey it’s on.
I mean, the new Champs League format is effectively that.
They’ll continue to drip feed more teams in, clubs will wrestle with which to prioritise, but likely slowly but surely the European comp will win out.
The second XIs will start turning out in the Prem and the transformation is complete.
I’d be fascinated to know whether this format was already being discussed prior to the Super League gambit. It feels like they’ve successfully beat that down, then just copied it.
I agree with what you say about FIFA and UEFA. But I also think it is important to recognize that the clubs have also interest in playing more games because they make profit. And that is, I think, an inherent way of how the game is run: for profit.
Not all clubs make a profit though, clubs like Chelsea and City operate mostly at a loss, whereas ours mostly breaks even / reinvests profits. More games does bring more income which means more can be invested in the club, so the rich get richer, but for us since we’re not one of the top richest clubs you could argue that’s against our interests, if our interests are more winning major trophies than remaining the trophyless 9th or 10th richest club in the world.
Till the time Authorities decide to do something about it, players should follow the Ben White Model.
In future, clubs will prerfer signing players who won’t go for the internationals. Such players should also be rewarded financially by the clubs.
Odegard, Tierrany, Calafiory all got injured on the internationals. I guess 50% of the injuries happen on the international duties. And the club continues to pay millions to them. Instead reward the likes of Benjamins.
Players will get good intermittent rest as well.
I think players should be able to decide if they don’t want to participate in certain competitions, like the Nations League and the Club World Cup as prime examples, or even the Carabao cup or the international tournaments. What Ben White did should be normalized and not seen as a rebellious stance (although his decision was more about Southgate). We all want to see the top players, but we want to see them at their best and we want to keep them fit. There are plenty of guys who would love to take their place in these secondary competitions. I… Read more »
Timber is the last player on our team who should be talking about this. He played like half a game last season. Most big clubs have strong benches and good academy set up, the fa cup and league cups are mostly played by the b teams anyway or should be for top 6 until the quarter and semi finals. They should also be proud to have qualified for Europe and play big matches. I really don’t get all this nonsense about too many games. What they should really do is reduce the number of international games and qualifiers. You really… Read more »
I think you’ve missed the point mate.
To be fair to him, he well qualified and experienced to talk about missing points.
Player that missed a season due to an ACL injury should be the last person to talk about how an intense schedule could lead to more long term injuries? Strange.
I think everyone should be able to give their opinion but, as we’re playing this game, I would say the person that doesn’t play professional football should probably be the last person to comment on the workload of professional footballers.
Hard to disagree that the workload for footballers is becoming ridiculous.
Amongst the reforms however, should be recognition from a not so small minority of players who absolutely rinse clubs for insane contracts. Where do they think that money comes from?
It doesn’t really come from the league cup, the club world cup, or any international games
Hope Pep gets there international job and has to pull teeth every time just to get 11 players to show up to all the ridiculous internationals