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Mikel Arteta has expressed concern that his team's chase for honors this season is being threatened by a worrying cycle of injuries and a grueling fixture list.

Latest Squad News

Star player Declan Rice did not travel for the midweek clash to face Club Brugge due to sickness. In addition, forward Leandro Trossard and center-back William Saliba remain unavailable.

There was, however, better news regarding Gabriel Jesus, with the Brazilian forward registered to their European squad. He replaces the injured youngster Max Dowman, who suffered an foot problem.

"Training, no because we lack 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 truly vicious circle."

Dowman's setback is the latest in a long list of fitness problems for the club. Since the start of last campaign, they have suffered 95 player absences, the second-highest total in the English top flight.

Long-Term Absences

• Defenders Cristhian Mosquera and Gabriel Magalhães are not expected to be back until 2025.
• Midfielder Kai Havertz continues to rehabilitate from surgery and "needs more time," according to the boss.

Arteta rejected the suggestion that training methods were to culprit, pointing to a lack of time for sessions. He emphasized the pressure on available players, some of whom have played over 150 matches in two years.

Recruitment Plans

Even after a major off-season investment exceeding £250 million, Arteta insisted the club is not planning to dip into the January recruitment market.

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

Next Challenge

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

Focus now turns to the European stage, where a sixth group win would virtually secure a knockout phase place. Winger Gabriel Martinelli could make history by finding the net in a fifth straight consecutive European match.

"The team is frustrated with the result, but we have to keep going," Martinelli said. "It's not like everything is going badly because we lost one game. So we remain united."