Mikel Arteta: Premier League needs 23-player match squads to avoid distress for players

Arteta was asked to clarify how leaving a player out of a squad on a matchday can have a detrimental affect.

“Because we have a really unique job, which is we have the ability to transform somebody’s life, career, which is great,” he said.

“But as well, every week we have to tell somebody, tomorrow you don’t do the job. You’re not even allowed to travel with the team.

“So tell me a job that you do that. I cannot go to the kitchen tomorrow and say to two of the chefs, today you don’t cook, just go there and see how they cook or go home. It’s really tough.

“So someone that wants to feel part of that, he needs to be there. He needs to travel, he needs to be there and he has to have the feeling that he has a chance.

“When you take that chance away, you have to leave that player because he feels that he’s not good enough.

“Because at the end, your decision is clear. I choose another 20 players in front of you. And I think this is something I worry about.”

Premier League leaders Arsenal have played 36 games this season and are competing for trophies across four competitions. They face Leeds United at Elland Road in the league on Saturday.

Arteta says large squads are needed as “demands on games are bigger”.

“So it doesn’t make a lot of sense to restrict that, in my opinion,” Arteta said.

“I think we need to expand that and give the possibility to allow everybody to be part of that. And then we can make the right choice in relation to the game.

“And then we can manage better the minutes, the psychological and emotional moment, and then how we want to change the game. And I think it’s better for absolutely everybody.”