Mikel Arteta reveals ‘fight’with Premier League over squad size after Arsenal are forced to leave key players out
Mikel Arteta has revealed he is pushing the Premier League to allow managers to name larger matchday squads after being forced to leave several senior players and promising youngsters out of Arsenal’s Community Shield squad.The Arsenal manager said he was particularly disappointed to leave Ethan Nwaneri and Marli Salmon out of the group for the meeting with Manchester City, arguing that both had done enough during pre-season to deserve the opportunity to be involved.
Arteta wants more room in matchday squads
Arsenal’s 3-0 victory over Manchester City in Cardiff came with a familiar problem for Arteta: deciding which players to leave out.Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli and Nwaneri were among those omitted despite all three being fit and having featured in Arsenal’s friendly against Como at the Emirates on Wednesday.Reiss Nelson and Fabio Vieira were also left out. Both have played during pre-season but are not expected to represent Arsenal this season, with each having one year remaining on his contract. Nelson spent last season on loan at Brentford, while Vieira was with Hamburg.Arteta said the situation was particularly frustrating because of the players who had worked throughout the summer.
Arsenal’s manager Mikel Arteta holds the trophy after his team won the FA Community Shield final soccer match between Arsenal and Manchester City in Cardiff, Wales, Sunday, Aug.16, 2026. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
“It’s really sad not to have their availability,” he told TNT Sports. “I’ve been fighting with the Premier League to extend and accommodate more players in the squad because they deserve to be in the squad, there’s no question.“Ethan [Nwaneri] and Marli [Salmon] as well, who has had the whole pre-season with us. Hopefully we can change that rule so players can enjoy on the pitch and can be an option to play and contribute to the team going forward.”The comments came after Arsenal had to select their Community Shield squad for a fixture that also provided Arteta with one of the final opportunities to assess his players before the Premier League campaign begins.
Several omissions have futures in doubt
The decision to leave certain players out also prompted questions about who will remain at Arsenal when the transfer window closes.Arteta was asked specifically about Gabriel Jesus and Martinelli, with both Brazilian forwards absent from the Community Shield squad.“Yes they’re very important for us,” Arteta said when asked whether the pair would remain Arsenal players this summer.Martinelli has nevertheless attracted interest from Galatasaray, although the winger has rejected a move to Turkey.Nwaneri’s situation is less certain. The 19-year-old spent part of last season on loan at Marseille and, despite Arteta’s public support, is reportedly expected to leave before the summer window closes.The BBC reported that Nwaneri has attracted interest from abroad, with AC Milan, RB Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund among the clubs interested, while Fulham have also shown interest from the Premier League.
Arsenal’s Community Shield victory gives Arteta a positive start
The selection headaches did not prevent Arsenal from making a strong start to the new season.The Gunners took the lead almost immediately when Riccardo Calafiori scored after 23 seconds, with Myles Lewis-Skelly providing the pass. The strike was recorded as the fastest goal in Community Shield history.
Arsenal’s Martin Odegaard lifts the trophy after his team won the FA Community Shield final soccer match between Arsenal and Manchester City in Cardiff, Wales, Sunday, Aug.16, 2026. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
Martin Ødegaard then doubled Arsenal’s advantage in the 48th minute before the Gunners completed a 3-0 victory over City.The afternoon also produced a lighter moment during Arsenal’s celebrations when Declan Rice accidentally hit himself in the face with the trophy while celebrating with supporters.Arsenal will now turn their attention to the Premier League, with their campaign beginning on Friday when newly promoted Coventry travel to the Emirates.Arteta’s request for larger matchday squads, meanwhile, reflects a problem that could follow Arsenal into the season as he attempts to balance a large squad with the limited number of players he can select for each fixture.
