🔗 Share this article

Mikel Arteta has voiced fears that his team's pursuit for titles this season is being threatened by a worrying cycle of injuries and a grueling fixture list.

Fresh Squad News

Key midfielder Declan Rice did not travel for the Champions League clash to face Club Brugge due to sickness. Meanwhile, attacker Leandro Trossard and center-back William Saliba are still on the sidelines.

There was, on a brighter note, better news regarding Gabriel Jesus, with the Brazilian striker registered to their European squad. He comes in for the injured youngster Max Dowman, who picked up an ankle problem.

"Training, no because we lack time to train. But clearly the fact that you are missing players, you are placing demands on other players more, there's a knock-on effect to that and it's a truly dangerous cycle."

Dowman's setback is the most recent in a long list of injuries for the club. Since the beginning of last season, they have suffered 95 injuries, the second-most total in the Premier League.

Extended Absentees

• Defenders Cristhian Mosquera and Gabriel Magalhães are not expected to return until the new year.
• Midfielder Kai Havertz still rehabilitate from surgery and "requires more time," according to the boss.

Arteta rejected the suggestion that training intensity were to culprit, citing a shortage of opportunity for drills. He highlighted the pressure on available players, some of whom have played over 150 games in two seasons.

Transfer Strategy

Despite a significant summer spend over £250 million, Arteta insisted the club is unlikely looking to dip into the January recruitment market.

"At the moment we're just concentrating on getting the players back and hopefully it will be a question of weeks," he commented. "It's clear how crucial those coming weeks are going to be."

Looking Ahead

The squad experienced their initial defeat in 18 matches at the hands of Aston Villa, reducing their lead at the top of the Premier League to two points.

Attention now shifts to the European stage, where a sixth consecutive group-stage win would all but guarantee a knockout phase finish. Forward Gabriel Martinelli could create a club record by scoring in a fifth consecutive European match.

"The team is disappointed with the outcome, but we have to move forward," he stated. "It's not like everything is going badly because we lost one game. So we stick together."