Arsenal captain Robin van Persie acknowledges that it is hard to get scheduling right for every team but feels there could be a bit more sense in the way it is handled.
The Gunners take on Manchester City in the Carling Cup quarter-finals at the Emirates Stadium tonight and both clubs will go in with some exhausted players from a few tough matches in recent weeks.
van Persie admits he doesn't understand why things have become so cluttered and hopes a more rational path can be taken in the future.
"Manchester City have a similar situation this evening, to be fair - even worse, because they had a really tough game at Liverpool only two days ago," he said in Arsenal's official matchday programme.
"I know it's hard to get the fixtures right for every single team, but I don't really understand the scheduling for either us or City.
"These are big games, screened everywhere on TV, and people expect everyone to be fit and put in an amazing performance.
"At some point, that's not realistic - if you're playing four games in nine days, you'll suffer in the end. Sometimes I feel the fixtures could be decided a little more sensibly."
