🔗 Share this article

Mikel Arteta has expressed concern that his team's pursuit for titles this campaign is being threatened by a worrying circle of injuries and a grueling fixture list.

Latest Squad Update

Star player Declan Rice missed the midweek trip to Belgium due to illness. Meanwhile, attacker Leandro Trossard and center-back William Saliba are still on the sidelines.

There was, on a brighter note, positive news regarding Gabriel Jesus, with the Brazilian striker registered to their Champions League squad. He comes in for the hurt youngster Max Dowman, who picked up an foot problem.

"Training, no because we lack time to train. But obviously the fact that you are missing players, you are loading other players more, there's a consequence to that and it's a really vicious cycle."

Dowman's setback is the latest in a long series of fitness problems for the North London side. Since the start of last season, they have suffered 95 player absences, the second-most total in the Premier League.

Long-Term Absentees

• Defenders Cristhian Mosquera and Gabriel Magalhães are not expected to be back until 2025.
• Midfielder Kai Havertz continues to recover from knee and "requires more time," according to the boss.

Arteta rejected the suggestion that practice intensity were to culprit, citing a shortage of opportunity for sessions. He emphasized the strain on fit players, some of whom have played over 150 games in two years.

Recruitment Strategy

Even after a significant off-season spend exceeding £250 million, Arteta insisted the club is not looking to enter the January recruitment market.

"Right now we're just focusing on getting the players back and with luck it will be a question of weeks," he commented. "It's clear how crucial those weeks are going to be."

Looking Ahead

The team suffered their initial defeat in 18 matches at the hands of Aston Villa, cutting their lead at the top of the Premier League to two points.

Focus now turns to the Champions League, where a sixth group-stage victory would virtually guarantee a knockout phase place. Winger Gabriel Martinelli could make a club record by scoring in a fifth consecutive Champions League fixture.

"The team is frustrated with the result, but we have to keep going," Martinelli stated. "It's not like all is going badly because we lost one game. So we remain united."