🔗 Share this article

Mikel Arteta has expressed concern that his squad's chase for honors this campaign is being threatened by a concerning circle of fitness setbacks and a relentless fixture list.

Fresh Squad Update

Key midfielder Declan Rice missed the Champions League clash to face Club Brugge due to sickness. In addition, forward Leandro Trossard and defender William Saliba are still on the sidelines.

There was, on a brighter note, positive news regarding Gabriel Jesus, with the South American striker registered to their Champions League squad. He comes in for the hurt youngster Max Dowman, who suffered an foot problem.

"Training, no because we lack time to train. But obviously the fact that you are without players, you are loading other players more, there's a knock-on effect to that and it's a truly vicious circle."

Dowman's setback is the latest in a extensive series of fitness problems for the club. Since the start of last season, they have suffered 95 injuries, the second-most total in the English top flight.

Extended Absences

• Defenders Cristhian Mosquera and Gabriel Magalhães are not expected to be back until 2025.
• Midfielder Kai Havertz still rehabilitate from surgery and "requires more time," as stated by the manager.

Arteta dismissed the suggestion that practice methods were to culprit, citing a lack of time for sessions. He emphasized the pressure on fit players, some of whom have played over 150 games in two years.

Transfer Plans

Despite a significant summer spend exceeding £250 million, Arteta insisted the team is unlikely planning to dip into the winter transfer market.

"Right now we're just focusing on bringing the players back and with luck it will be a question of weeks," he commented. "We know how important those weeks are going to be."

Next Challenge

The squad experienced their first loss in 18 matches at the hands of Aston Villa, reducing their advantage at the top of the league to two clear points.

Attention now shifts to the Champions League, where a sixth consecutive group-stage win would all but guarantee a knockout phase place. Forward Gabriel Martinelli could make a club record by finding the net in a fifth consecutive European match.

"The team is disappointed with the outcome, but we have to keep going," he said. "It's not like all is going wrong because we lost one game. So we remain united."