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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has called on the Premier League to revise its rules regarding substitute players ahead of the new season.
The Spanish coach expressed his frustration at having to omit several players from the squad for yesterday's Community Shield clash against Manchester City due to the limited number of players allowed on the bench.
Arteta is advocating for the Premier League to increase the size of matchday squads.
Currently, a matchday squad can consist of 20 players – 11 starters and nine substitutes. Due to this restriction, the manager admitted he had to leave Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus, and Ethan Nwaneri out of the lineup. However, all three have also been linked with potential transfers, which likely played a significant role in the decision.
Speaking to TNT Sports, Arteta stated: "It's truly disheartening that I couldn't include them."
"I'm pushing the Premier League to expand the squads and allow more players to be included. They deserve to be there. I hope we can change this rule."
Such a change would align the Premier League's regulations with those of the Champions League, where managers are permitted to name a larger bench.
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