🔗 Share this article

Mikel Arteta has expressed concern that his squad's chase for titles this season is being threatened by a worrying circle of fitness setbacks and a relentless schedule.

Latest Squad Update

Key midfielder Declan Rice did not travel for the Champions League clash to face Club Brugge due to illness. In addition, attacker Leandro Trossard and defender William Saliba remain on the sidelines.

There was, on a brighter note, better news regarding Gabriel Jesus, with the South American forward registered to their European squad. He comes in for the injured youngster Max Dowman, who suffered an foot problem.

"Training, no because we don't have time to train. But clearly 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 injuries for the club. Since the beginning of last campaign, they have suffered 95 player absences, the second-most total in the English top flight.

Extended Absences

• Defenders Cristhian Mosquera and Gabriel Magalhães are not expected to return until the new year.
• Midfielder Kai Havertz still recover from knee and "needs more time," according to the manager.

Arteta rejected the suggestion that training intensity were to blame, citing a lack of opportunity for sessions. He highlighted the pressure on available players, some of whom have featured over 150 matches in two years.

Transfer Plans

Even after a major off-season investment over £250 million, Arteta insisted the team is unlikely looking to enter the winter recruitment market.

"At the moment we're just focusing on bringing the players back and hopefully it will be a matter of a short time," he said. "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, reducing their lead at the top of the league to two clear points.

Focus now shifts to the European stage, where a sixth group victory would all but guarantee a knockout phase place. Winger Gabriel Martinelli could make a club record by finding the net in a fifth straight successive European fixture.

"We are frustrated with the result, but we have to keep going," Martinelli stated. "This isn't like everything is going badly because we lost one game. So we stick together."