FootyChatter.com

Jurrien Timber missed most of last season with a knee injury after joining Arsenal for £34m Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber says the current fixture schedule is "dangerous" and is a "big topic" in the dressing room. The debate about the football calendar drew attention after Manchester City midfielder Rodri said players are close to going on strike due to the congested schedule. Timber, who missed the majority of last season with an anterior cruciate ligament injury, said he "totally agrees" with Rodri's comments. The 23-year-old Dutch international added: "It's a big topic at the moment in dressing rooms, not only at City and Liverpool but also our dressing room. "I didn't play last season, so I'm just enjoying playing right now - you won't hear me complaining - but I totally understand what they're saying. " Last week it was announced Spaniard Rodri would miss the rest of the season after rupturing his ACL during a 2-2 draw with Arsenal. Asked on Monday if players are more at risk of a serious injury as a result of the schedule, Timber said: "Definitely. I honestly think it's a dangerous thing. Last week we played City and I think they played again two days later - that's too much. " City manager Pep Guardiola said any change to the calendar must be player-led, while Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said the players "voices need to be heard". "It's a really good point, " Timber added. "The players are speaking right now and let their voices be heard. " "It doesn't look like it's getting any less [busy] at the moment. "We're just trying to be there every game to give our best, but it gets hard when the games keep coming and coming. Especially in England without having a winter break, it's really hard. " Match preview: PSG a team at the 'highest level', says Arteta How Arsenal set-pieces were key to beating Leicester - MOTD analysis There will not be a winter break this season in the Premier League. However, to avoid Christmas and New Year fixture congestion, the league will give more rest time to sides over three of the festive match rounds, with no club playing within 60 hours of another match. In July, global players' union Fifpro said it would take legal action against Fifa over what it called an "abuse of dominance" in football. The new Champions League format also means players face two extra games in the competition - and that could increase if a club doesn't finish in the top eight due to the play-offs added into the new group stage. “That makes a difference, " said Timber. "You want to be in the top eight because you want the highest possible finish, but in this case it also makes a difference for your team in terms of resting. ” This season could potentially run until 13 July for some clubs, when next summer's expanded Club World Cup final concludes. Listen to the latest Football Daily podcast Get football news sent straight to your phone Man Utd expected to stick with Ten Hag as manager Reaction as Man Utd stick with Ten Hag plus Merino trains for Arsenal France's Griezmann retires from internationals Extraordinary cases of online hate in the USA Marianna Spring investigates the social media backdrop to the 2024 presidential election Paddy and Chris’ epic quest to crack the code of aging well They are on a mission to find out how to grow old gracefully, and possibly disgracefully… Katherine Ryan's top 10 British girlbands Cue memories and strong opinions with Scott Mills and Rylan Eight comedians put their general knowledge to the test Romesh Ranganathan is in charge of the back-stabbing big-money game show 'This felt like the end for Ten Hag - if not now, very soon' Poor on the ball, worse without it - where Man Utd went wrong v Spurs The five issues facing Mc Cullum as England's white-ball coach 'Disgusting and disgraceful' - pundits on 'rock bottom' Man Utd The Man City 'B team' developing the next generation 'Like Bergkamp & Van Persie' - Palmer makes history at Chelsea The best photos from the summer of cricket What have we learned from the Rugby Championship? 'So gifted' - is 'unbelievable' Palmer England's best player? Video'So gifted' - is 'unbelievable' Palmer England's best player? 'A world record? ' What is the secret to Brentford's first-minute goals? 'A week of hope for Everton - on and off the pitch' How Arsenal set-pieces were key to beating Leicester - MOTD analysis. Video How Arsenal set-pieces were key to beating Leicester - MOTD analysis Flying wing with flying fists - meet England's electric new star Ruthless Chelsea dominate WSL newcomers Crystal Palace. Video Ruthless Chelsea dominate WSL newcomers Crystal Palace The British coach building Seahawks' new 'Legion of Boom' 'I was dead at one point' - a footballer's 'miracle' return Denied! Watch amazing Premier League goalline clearances. Video Denied! Watch amazing Premier League goalline clearances From facing Pele to Bath City FC - meet the 80-year-old assistant manager From Test match to wedding - Stone's Pakistan dash Mourinho furious with 70-minute wait for derby news conference. Video Mourinho furious with 70-minute wait for derby news conference © 2024 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.