🔗 Share this article

Arsenal's manager has voiced fears that his squad's pursuit for honors this campaign is being jeopardized by a concerning circle of fitness setbacks and a relentless fixture list.

Latest Squad News

Star player Declan Rice missed the Champions League clash to Belgium due to sickness. In addition, attacker Leandro Trossard and center-back William Saliba are still on the sidelines.

There was, on a brighter note, positive news regarding Gabriel Jesus, with the Brazilian forward added to their Champions League squad. He comes in for the hurt youngster Max Dowman, who suffered an foot injury.

"Training, no because we don't have time to train. But obviously 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 truly vicious cycle."

Dowman's issue is the most recent in a extensive list of fitness problems for the North London side. Since the start of last campaign, they have suffered 95 player absences, the second-highest total in the English top flight.

Extended Absentees

• Defenders Cristhian Mosquera and Gabriel Magalhães are unlikely to be back until 2025.
• Midfielder Kai Havertz continues to recover from surgery and "needs more time," as stated by the manager.

Arteta dismissed the suggestion that training intensity were to culprit, citing a lack of opportunity for drills. He highlighted the strain on available players, some of whom have played over 150 games in two seasons.

Transfer Plans

Even after a significant off-season investment over £250 million, Arteta insisted the club is not planning to enter the winter transfer market.

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

Looking Ahead

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

Focus now shifts to the European stage, where a sixth group-stage victory would virtually secure a knockout phase finish. Winger Gabriel Martinelli could make history by finding the net in a fifth straight successive European fixture.

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