Vivianne Miedema has hit out over the amount of games squeezed into the football calendar for both men and women as more players pick up injuries.
Vivianne Miedema returned from her leave of abscence this week to help Arsenal grab a point against Juventus in the Champions League.
The game was the first for Arsenal since the club confirmed that Beth Mead would be out of action until the second half of next year, the ACL knee injury she picked up against Manchester United ruling her out until after the World Cup in the summer.
Miedema is not best pleased and, perhaps, given her relationship with her teammate Mead, is feeling this latest injury a bit more than others.
“Karim Benzema, Sadio Mané, Paul Pogba, N’Golo Kanté,” Miedema writes in her Algemeen Dagblad column.
“All top players that we now have to miss at the World Cup due to injuries.
“Injuries also rain in women’s football.
“My partner Beth Mead will be out for months. She misses the World Cup. Also my teammate Leah Williamson has been out for a long time.
“The playing calendar for both the women and the men is too full. Actually, it’s just a shame.
“We are in a world that keeps on rumbling and there are few players who say anything about it. I do.
“We are going completely crazy [with the load on players.]
Arsenal are also without Kim Little whose own knee injury will keep her out until the new year.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Leah Williamson gave an update on her progress with a foot injury.
“It has been a tricky one to overcome,” she said. “It’s not been the smoothest ride from the start but I’m making good progress now.
“Hopefully that light at the end of the tunnel is close for me now. I’m on the grass training now and look forward to getting back on the pitch. I definitely don’t think I’m too far away.
“It’s never easy watching when you’re injured. I loved going to the England v USA match in October but when I saw them walk out onto the pitch to warm-up it hurts my heart a little bit.
“My job is just to get back as soon as possible to give myself a chance of being involved again.
“Although it’s difficult (being injured) I really enjoyed watching the team last month. The Japan game in particular was great to see. The girls look like they are enjoying themselves and playing freely.
“When I think about why I miss playing football, that is number one – when you are in a team that gives you the chance to express yourself.”