Arteta Fears Injury Crisis Could Hinder The Gunners' Silverware Hunt

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

Fresh Team News

Star player Declan Rice did not travel for the Champions League trip to Belgium due to sickness. Meanwhile, attacker Leandro Trossard and defender William Saliba are still unavailable.

There was, however, positive news regarding Gabriel Jesus, with the South American striker added to their Champions League squad. He replaces the injured youngster Max Dowman, who suffered an ankle problem.

"Training, 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 truly dangerous cycle."

Dowman's issue is the most recent in a extensive list of fitness problems for the club. Since the start of last campaign, they have recorded 95 injuries, the second-highest total in the English top flight.

Long-Term Absences

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

Arteta dismissed the idea that practice intensity were to blame, citing a shortage of time for sessions. He emphasized the strain on fit players, some of whom have played over 150 matches in two years.

Transfer Strategy

Even after a major summer spend exceeding £250 million, Arteta insisted the club is unlikely looking to dip into the January transfer market.

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

Looking Ahead

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

Attention now shifts to the Champions League, where a sixth group victory would all but guarantee a knockout phase finish. Forward Gabriel Martinelli could create a club record by finding the net in a fifth straight consecutive European match.

"We are frustrated with the outcome, but we have to keep going," he stated. "It's not like everything is going wrong because we lost one game. So we stick together."