🔗 Share this article

Arsenal's manager has expressed concern that his squad's pursuit for titles this campaign is being threatened by a concerning cycle of injuries and a grueling schedule.

Fresh Team News

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

There was, however, better news regarding Gabriel Jesus, with the South American striker added to their European squad. He replaces the hurt youngster Max Dowman, who picked up an ankle problem.

"Training, no because we don't have time to train. But obviously the fact that you are without players, you are placing demands on other players more, there's a consequence to that and it's a really vicious circle."

Dowman's issue is the latest in a extensive list of fitness problems for the club. Since the beginning of last campaign, they have suffered 95 player absences, the second-highest total in the English top flight.

Long-Term Absences

• Defenders Cristhian Mosquera and Gabriel Magalhães are unlikely to be back until 2025.
• Midfielder Kai Havertz still rehabilitate from surgery and "needs more time," according to the boss.

Arteta rejected the idea that training methods were to blame, pointing to a shortage of opportunity for sessions. He emphasized the pressure on fit players, some of whom have featured over 150 games in two seasons.

Recruitment Plans

Even after a significant summer investment exceeding £250 million, Arteta stated the team is unlikely planning to enter the January transfer market.

"At the moment we're just focusing on getting the players back and hopefully it will be a question of a short time," he commented. "We know how crucial those weeks are going to be."

Next Challenge

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

Attention now shifts to the Champions League, where a sixth group-stage victory would all but guarantee a knockout phase place. Winger Gabriel Martinelli could create history by finding the net in a fifth straight successive Champions League fixture.

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