🔗 Share this article

Mikel Arteta has voiced fears that his team's chase for honors 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 midweek trip to Belgium due to illness. In addition, forward Leandro Trossard and center-back William Saliba remain 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 suffered an ankle injury.

"Training, no because we don't have time to train. But obviously the fact that you are missing players, you are loading other players more, there's a consequence to that and it's a really dangerous cycle."

Dowman's setback is the latest in a extensive list of fitness problems for the club. Since the beginning of last campaign, they have suffered 95 injuries, the second-most total in the Premier League.

Extended Absences

• Defenders Cristhian Mosquera and Gabriel Magalhães are not expected to return until 2025.
• Midfielder Kai Havertz continues to recover from knee and "requires more time," as stated by the manager.

Arteta rejected the idea that training intensity were to culprit, citing a shortage of time for sessions. He emphasized the pressure on fit players, some of whom have played over 150 matches in two seasons.

Transfer Strategy

Despite a significant summer investment over £250 million, Arteta stated the team is unlikely looking to dip into the winter transfer market.

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

Looking Ahead

The team experienced their first loss in 18 matches at the weekend, cutting their advantage at the summit of the league to two clear points.

Focus now shifts to the European stage, where a sixth consecutive group win would virtually guarantee a knockout phase finish. Winger Gabriel Martinelli could make history by finding the net in a fifth straight consecutive European fixture.

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