🔗 Share this article

Arsenal's manager has voiced fears that his team's chase for titles this season is being threatened by a concerning cycle of fitness setbacks and a relentless fixture list.

Latest Team Update

Star player Declan Rice missed the Champions League clash to Belgium due to illness. Meanwhile, forward 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 South American forward added to their Champions League squad. He comes in for the injured youngster Max Dowman, who picked up an ankle problem.

"Practice, no because we don't have time to train. But obviously the fact that you are without players, you are loading other players more, there's a knock-on effect to that and it's a truly vicious cycle."

Dowman's issue is the latest in a extensive list of injuries for the North London side. Since the beginning of last campaign, they have suffered 95 injuries, the second-highest total in the English top flight.

Extended Absences

• Defenders Cristhian Mosquera and Gabriel Magalhães are unlikely to return until the new year.
• Midfielder Kai Havertz continues to rehabilitate from knee and "needs more time," as stated by the manager.

Arteta dismissed the suggestion that training intensity were to culprit, pointing to a lack of time for drills. He highlighted the strain on available players, some of whom have played over 150 matches in two seasons.

Recruitment Strategy

Even after a significant summer spend over £250 million, Arteta stated the team is not looking to dip into the winter recruitment market.

"At the moment we're just focusing on bringing the players back and with luck it will be a matter of weeks," he commented. "We know how crucial those coming weeks are going to be."

Next Challenge

The squad suffered their initial defeat in 18 games at the weekend, reducing their lead at the summit of the Premier League to two points.

Focus now turns to the European stage, where a sixth group victory would virtually secure a top-eight place. Winger Gabriel Martinelli could make a club record by finding the net in a fifth straight successive Champions League match.

"The team is frustrated with the result, but we have to keep going," he stated. "This isn't like all is going badly because we lost one game. So we stick together."