🔗 Share this article

Arsenal's manager has voiced fears that his squad's pursuit for honors this season is being threatened by a concerning circle of injuries and a grueling schedule.

Latest Team News

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 remain unavailable.

There was, on a brighter note, positive news regarding Gabriel Jesus, with the Brazilian striker added to their European squad. He comes in for the injured youngster Max Dowman, who picked up an ankle problem.

"Practice, no because we lack time to train. But clearly the fact that you are missing players, you are loading other players more, there's a knock-on effect to that and it's a truly vicious circle."

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

Long-Term Absences

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

Arteta dismissed the suggestion that practice intensity were to blame, pointing to a shortage of time for sessions. He emphasized the strain on available players, some of whom have featured over 150 matches in two years.

Transfer Plans

Despite a significant summer investment exceeding £250 million, Arteta stated the team is unlikely planning to dip into the January transfer market.

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

Next Challenge

The team experienced their initial loss in 18 matches at the hands of Aston Villa, reducing their lead at the top of the Premier League to two points.

Attention now shifts to the Champions League, where a sixth group win would all but guarantee a knockout phase place. Winger Gabriel Martinelli could create a club record by finding the net in a fifth straight consecutive Champions League fixture.

"The team is frustrated with the outcome, but we have to move forward," Martinelli said. "This isn't like all is going badly because we lost one game. So we remain united."