🔗 Share this article

Arsenal's manager has voiced fears that his squad's chase for titles this season is being threatened by a worrying circle of injuries and a relentless fixture list.

Fresh Squad News

Star player 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 remain on the sidelines.

There was, on a brighter note, better news regarding Gabriel Jesus, with the Brazilian forward added to their European squad. He replaces the hurt youngster Max Dowman, who picked up an ankle 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 knock-on effect to that and it's a truly dangerous circle."

Dowman's setback is the most recent in a extensive series of fitness problems for the club. Since the start of last season, they have recorded 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 "needs more time," as stated by the manager.

Arteta dismissed the suggestion that practice methods were to blame, citing a shortage of time for drills. He emphasized the strain on available players, some of whom have played over 150 matches in two years.

Recruitment Strategy

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

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

Looking Ahead

The squad suffered their first 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-stage win would virtually guarantee a knockout phase place. Forward Gabriel Martinelli could make a club record by finding the net in a fifth consecutive European fixture.

"We are disappointed with the result, but we have to keep going," Martinelli said. "It's not like all is going badly because we lost one game. So we remain united."