🔗 Share this article

Arsenal's manager has voiced fears that his team's chase for honors this campaign is being threatened by a worrying circle of fitness setbacks and a relentless schedule.

Fresh Squad News

Key midfielder Declan Rice missed the Champions League trip to Belgium due to sickness. Meanwhile, forward Leandro Trossard and center-back William Saliba remain on the sidelines.

There was, on a brighter note, better news regarding Gabriel Jesus, with the South American striker registered to their Champions League squad. He replaces the hurt youngster Max Dowman, who picked up an foot injury.

"Training, no because we lack time to train. But clearly the fact that you are without players, you are loading other players more, there's a consequence to that and it's a truly dangerous cycle."

Dowman's setback is the latest in a long list of injuries for the club. Since the start of last campaign, they have recorded 95 injuries, the second-highest total in the Premier League.

Long-Term Absences

• Defenders Cristhian Mosquera and Gabriel Magalhães are unlikely to return until 2025.
• Midfielder Kai Havertz still recover from surgery and "requires more time," as stated by the boss.

Arteta dismissed the suggestion that training methods were to blame, citing a lack of opportunity for sessions. He highlighted the strain on available players, some of whom have featured over 150 games in two seasons.

Recruitment Plans

Despite a major summer investment over £250 million, Arteta stated the team is unlikely looking to enter the January transfer market.

"At the moment we're just concentrating on bringing the players back and with luck it will be a question of a short time," he said. "It's clear how important those weeks are going to be."

Looking Ahead

The team experienced their initial loss in 18 games at the hands of Aston Villa, cutting their lead at the summit of the league to two points.

Attention now turns to the European stage, where a sixth consecutive group win would virtually secure a top-eight finish. Forward Gabriel Martinelli could create a club record by finding the net in a fifth successive 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 wrong because we lost one game. So we stick together."