Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino fires injury warning with plea for workload change

Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino has become the latest player to warn about the toll of the congested calendar.

Players are facing more games this season due to the new format of the Champions League, as well as the expanded Club World Cup next summer.

Manchester City midfielder Rodri, who is out for the rest of the season with a knee injury, spoke last month about the issue and refused to rule out players striking.

Merino has admitted the current calendar is a big talking point among players and the situation must be addressed by the game’s governing bodies.

“There’s a lot of talk about injuries and the number of games, and within the profession we all have a very similar opinion,” he said.

“I love playing football, but when you do it so often there comes a time when your body doesn’t keep up with your head and that’s when the danger comes.

“But we can’t blame everything on that because there have been two injuries [to Dani Carvajal and Rodri] so close together. What we have to do is take care of ourselves.

“It has to be a joint effort. Everyone has to feel that the players are 100 per cent fit because there will be more entertainment, a higher level of play and that is something that FIFA, UEFA and the fans want. It is everyone’s responsibility to reach a neutral point and resolve all this.”

Merino has just returned from his own lay-off after injuring his shoulder in his very first training session for Arsenal.

He was back in action last week, making two appearances off the bench, and is hungry to get more minutes for Spain over the international break in their matches with Denmark and Serbia.

“I’m feeling good and strong, with my injury behind me,” Merino said. “I’m happy to be back here with my team-mates.

“I’m very happy to start a new adventure. We’re still hungry to do things. This summer has been one of the best of my life.

“On a personal level and at the Euros, with the goal I scored [in the quarter-finals] and then the title, the signing for Arsenal… It has literally changed my life. I hope there are many more things like this to come.”