🔗 Share this article

Mikel Arteta has expressed concern that his squad's chase for titles this season is being jeopardized by a concerning circle of fitness setbacks and a grueling fixture list.

Fresh Squad Update

Key midfielder Declan Rice missed the Champions League trip to face Club Brugge due to sickness. In addition, 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 striker added to their Champions League squad. He replaces the injured youngster Max Dowman, who picked up an ankle problem.

"Training, no because we don't have time to train. But obviously the fact that you are without 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 long series of fitness problems for the North London side. Since the start of last campaign, they have recorded 95 player absences, the second-highest total in the Premier League.

Extended Absentees

• Defenders Cristhian Mosquera and Gabriel Magalhães are unlikely to return until 2025.
• Midfielder Kai Havertz still rehabilitate from surgery and "needs more time," as stated by the boss.

Arteta dismissed the idea that training methods were to culprit, citing a shortage of time for drills. He emphasized the pressure on available players, some of whom have featured over 150 matches in two seasons.

Transfer Strategy

Even after a significant off-season spend over £250 million, Arteta insisted the club is unlikely planning to enter the January recruitment market.

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

Next Challenge

The squad suffered their first defeat in 18 games at the weekend, cutting their advantage at the summit of the Premier League to two points.

Focus now turns to the European stage, where a sixth consecutive group-stage win would all but guarantee a top-eight finish. Forward Gabriel Martinelli could create history by finding the net in a fifth consecutive Champions League fixture.

"The team is frustrated with the outcome, 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."