Arteta Fears Fitness Crisis Could Undermine The Gunners' Silverware Hunt

Arsenal's manager has expressed concern that his team's chase for honors this season is being threatened by a concerning circle of fitness setbacks and a grueling fixture list.

Fresh Squad News

Star player Declan Rice missed the midweek clash to face Club Brugge due to sickness. Meanwhile, forward Leandro Trossard and center-back William Saliba remain unavailable.

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

"Practice, no because we don't have time to train. But clearly the fact that you are without players, you are loading other players more, there's a consequence to that and it's a really dangerous circle."

Dowman's setback is the latest in a long list of fitness problems for the club. Since the beginning of last season, they have suffered 95 player absences, the second-most total in the Premier League.

Extended Absences

• Defenders Cristhian Mosquera and Gabriel Magalhães are not expected to return until 2025.
• Midfielder Kai Havertz still rehabilitate from knee and "needs more time," according to the boss.

Arteta rejected the idea that training intensity were to blame, pointing to a lack of opportunity for sessions. He emphasized the strain on fit players, some of whom have played over 150 matches in two seasons.

Recruitment Strategy

Despite a major summer investment over £250 million, Arteta stated the team is not looking to enter the winter transfer market.

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

Next Challenge

The team suffered their initial loss in 18 games at the weekend, cutting their advantage at the top of the Premier League to two points.

Focus now shifts to the Champions League, where a sixth consecutive group win would virtually guarantee a knockout phase finish. Forward Gabriel Martinelli could create history by finding the net in a fifth straight successive Champions League fixture.

"The team is disappointed with the result, but we have to move forward," Martinelli stated. "This isn't like all is going badly because we lost one game. So we stick together."