'We are not robots': £30m Arsenal man fires new warning to the PFA as he claims 'people have to understand'

Arsenal are playing in the Champions League and Premier League this season as their reward for another fine season but David Raya has fired a warning to the footballing higher ups about player welfare.

Raya is currently with Spain on international duty in what will be the last break before the season continues right through until March without pause.

During that time, Raya and Arsenal will play the traditional busy Christmas period, while the FA Cup will start in January and the Champions League picks up again in February.

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Of course, billions is spent these days to ensure top teams have the squads to cope with it. Indeed, Arsenal themselves have spent north of £400m in the last few windows alone.

However, according to Raya, the PFA and others have got to work harder to protect the players.

David Raya complains about the schedule and sends warning to PFA

Speaking to Spanish publication El Desmarque, Arsenal stopper Raya spoke out on the issues around too many games and player health.

And according to Raya, it’s high time the powers that be listened.

“We know that the calendar is what it is, it is very congested for teams that play all competitions, now also with a Club World Cup in the summer. At least Arsenal do not play it but the risk of injury is greater,” Raya said.

“The players have talked a lot about the issue and the union has to come in, in our case the PFA (Professional Football Association). We are with them, they will help us as much as possible, but we know that it is not from one day to the next. People have to understand that we are people, we are not robots and an injury can change our lives,”

Fans won’t be too bothered by Arsenal man’s complaints

If there’s one thing the general footballing public don’t like about professional footballers, it’s the complaints about being overworked.

Sure, we understand that as top athletes they need to be protected and as Raya says, they are just humans at the end of the day.

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However, for the money they’re paid and the life of luxury they live, fans will have no sympathy for the Arsenal man here.

Players have access to the best in class in all fields and in terms of recovery and truth be told, should simply just get on with things.