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Community Shield: Arteta decries EPL’s matchday squad rule despite Arsenal’s win over Man City
17th August, 2026 08:05 AM
Mikel Arteta has called on the Premier League to reconsider its matchday squad limit, describing the restriction as a major obstacle to accommodating fully fit players and allowing them to contribute on the pitch.
Arteta was forced to omit a group of fully fit stars—including Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus, Ethan Nwaneri, Reiss Nelson, and Marli Salmon—from the matchday squad for Arsenal’s 3–0 Community Shield victory over Manchester City.
Speaking after the win at Wembley, the Gunners manager expressed his frustration with the restriction and voiced hope that the rule will eventually be changed to benefit managers and players alike.
Accomodating more players
“It’s really sad not to have their availability. I have been fighting with the Premier League to extend and accommodate more players in the squad because they deserve to be in the squad; there is no question. Ethan and Marli as well, who have had the whole pre-season with us,” Arteta said.
While UEFA competitions permit expanded matchday squads of up to 23 players with 12 substitutes on the bench, English domestic fixtures strictly limit matchday rosters to 20 players (11 starters and 9 substitutes).
The rule forced the Spanish manager to name a tight squad focusing on players who featured extensively in preseason, compelling him to leave out high-profile stars like Nwaneri and the Brazilian duo of Gabriel Jesus and Martinelli.
Arteta also reiterated the importance of the omitted players to Arsenal’s long-term plans while addressing reports linking some of them with potential departures ahead of the new campaign.
“Hopefully we can change that rule so players can enjoy being on the pitch and can be an option to play and contribute to the team going forward. They are all very important players for us,” he added when quizzed on their futures.
The Gunners made an emphatic early-season statement with their 3–0 triumph over their Premier League rivals in the traditional curtain-raiser, setting a high bar ahead of the new league campaign.
Goals from Riccardo Calafiori, Kai Havertz, and skipper Martin Odegaard sealed a comfortable win for the reigning Premier League champions. The defeat marked a tough start for Enzo Maresca in his debut match since replacing Pep Guardiola at the helm of the former English champions.
Calafiori stunned the Citizens inside the opening minute as the Gunners got off to a flying start at the Principality Stadium in Wales.
Arsenal then doubled their lead before halftime. Christos Tzolis supplied twin assists on his competitive debut, first setting up Havert for the second goal.
Martin Odegaard wrapped up the scoring with a second-half goal to see the Gunners land their hands on first silverware for the 2026/27 season.
