🔗 Share this article

Arsenal's manager has expressed concern that his team's chase for titles this campaign is being threatened by a concerning circle of injuries and a relentless schedule.

Latest Team Update

Key midfielder Declan Rice did not travel for the midweek trip to face Club Brugge due to sickness. Meanwhile, attacker Leandro Trossard and center-back William Saliba are still unavailable.

There was, however, positive 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 foot injury.

"Practice, 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 consequence to that and it's a really dangerous cycle."

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 English top flight.

Extended Absentees

• Defenders Cristhian Mosquera and Gabriel Magalhães are unlikely to be back until 2025.
• Midfielder Kai Havertz still recover from surgery and "needs more time," according to the boss.

Arteta dismissed the suggestion that practice methods were to blame, pointing to a lack of opportunity for drills. He highlighted the strain on available players, some of whom have played over 150 matches in two seasons.

Recruitment Strategy

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

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

Next Challenge

The squad suffered their initial defeat in 18 games at the hands of Aston Villa, cutting their lead at the summit of the league to two clear points.

Attention now turns to the Champions League, where a sixth group-stage victory would all but guarantee a knockout phase place. Forward Gabriel Martinelli could make a club record by finding the net in a fifth successive Champions League fixture.

"We are frustrated with the outcome, but we have to keep going," he said. "It's not like everything is going badly because we lost one game. So we stick together."