Jurrien Timber delivers verdict on Rodri comments amid 'dangerous' Arsenal admission

Arsenal's Dutch international defender Jurrien Timber has spoken out on the amount of games players are being asked to play following recent comments from Man City star Rodri

Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber has said he sympathises with Manchester City midfielder Rodri's call for a players' strike due to the increasing demands of the fixture list.

After a lengthy season last year, extra games have been added to this season's Champions League with further fixtures set to take place next summer as FIFA looks to expand the Club World Cup - the year after a summer featuring the European Championships and Copa America. Players are understood to have expressed concern about the increasing workload they are facing with Rodri suggesting that they could be forced to take industrial action earlier this month.

"I think we are close to [a strike]," the Manchester City midfielder said. "I think if you ask any player he will say the same. It is not the opinion of Rodri or whatever. I think it's the general opinion of the players.

"And if it keeps this way, there will be a moment where we have no other option, I really think, but let's see. I don't know what's going to happen but it's something that worries us because we are the guys that suffer."

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Rodri has since suffered a serious injury to the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee that is likely to rule him out for the rest of the season. Despite Arsenal's increasing rivalry with City, the Spanish international's comments attracted sympathy from Timber, who suggested that he would support a collective protest from players.

"I totally agree with them," he said of Rodri's comments. "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.

"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. I understand why players are complaining."

Arsenal have suffered the joint second-highest number of injuries this season with seven, according to Premier Injuries. Manager Mikel Arteta has stated that players must be heard when it comes to the debate over the increase in their workload. These sentiments were echoed by Timber.

"It's a really good point," he said. "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."

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