'People have to understand' - Arsenal star David Raya requests action from PFA
David Raya has called for action over the number of games involved in the playing calendar.
Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya has joined a growing group of players who have voiced their concerns about the number of games currently being played. Many players are currently away with their nations, competing in the Nations League, which is coming under increasing scrutiny.
Many players are now withdrawing from Nations League action whenever they have any sort of pain or aggravation, and that has been made clear by the seven withdrawals from the England squad earlier this week. The Nations League was brought in to add value to international windows where friendlies were previously scheduled, but with such a crowded club schedule and plenty of international football between qualification for major tournaments and the tournaments themselves, the question is whether these international windows are needed at all.
Smaller nations may feel differently, with the Nations League offering back door route to qualification, but with injuries costing players valuable career time, there are plenty of players who have criticised the current schedule. Arsenal keeper Raya is the latest to join that group, telling El Desmarque: “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.
“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.”
Rodri’s strike call
Raya’s Spain teammate Rodri recently called for a player strike over the number of games, and in a cruel twist of irony, the midfielder suffered a season-ending ACL injury shortly after, almost highlighting his point.
"I think we are close to that (a strike), it is easy to understand,” he said back in September. “I think it's something general. I think if you ask any player he will say the same, it is not the opinion of Rodri or whatever.
"I think it's the general opinion of the players. And if it keeps this way, there will be a moment where we have no other option, I really think but let's see. I don't know what's going to happen, but it's something that worries us because we are the guys that suffer."