🔗 Share this article

Mikel Arteta has expressed concern that his squad's chase for titles this campaign is being threatened by a concerning cycle of fitness setbacks and a grueling fixture list.

Fresh Team News

Star player Declan Rice missed the Champions League trip to Belgium due to sickness. In addition, 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 comes in for the hurt youngster Max Dowman, who suffered an ankle injury.

"Practice, no because we lack time to train. But obviously the fact that you are missing players, you are placing demands on other players more, there's a consequence to that and it's a truly vicious circle."

Dowman's issue is the latest in a extensive series of fitness problems for the North London side. Since the beginning 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 not expected to return until 2025.
• Midfielder Kai Havertz still recover from knee and "requires more time," according to the manager.

Arteta rejected the idea that practice methods were to culprit, citing a shortage of opportunity for sessions. He highlighted the pressure on fit players, some of whom have played over 150 matches in two years.

Recruitment Plans

Even after a major summer spend over £250 million, Arteta insisted the team is not 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 matter of weeks," he said. "It's clear how important those coming weeks are going to be."

Looking Ahead

The squad experienced their initial loss in 18 matches at the weekend, cutting their lead at the summit of the Premier League to two points.

Focus now shifts to the European stage, where a sixth group victory would virtually secure a top-eight finish. Forward Gabriel Martinelli could create a club record by finding the net in a fifth successive European match.

"We are disappointed with the outcome, but we have to move forward," Martinelli said. "It's not like everything is going wrong because we lost one game. So we stick together."