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

Latest Squad Update

Key midfielder Declan Rice did not travel for the Champions League clash to face Club Brugge due to illness. In addition, attacker Leandro Trossard and center-back William Saliba are still on the sidelines.

There was, however, better news regarding Gabriel Jesus, with the Brazilian striker registered to their European squad. He comes in for the hurt youngster Max Dowman, who suffered an foot problem.

"Practice, no because we don't have time to train. But obviously the fact that you are without players, you are placing demands on other players more, there's a consequence to that and it's a really vicious cycle."

Dowman's issue is the most recent in a long series of injuries for the club. Since the start of last season, they have recorded 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 recover from surgery and "requires more time," as stated by the boss.

Arteta dismissed the suggestion that practice intensity were to blame, pointing to a shortage of opportunity for drills. He emphasized the pressure on fit players, some of whom have featured over 150 matches in two seasons.

Transfer Strategy

Even after a significant off-season investment over £250 million, Arteta stated the team is unlikely looking to dip into the winter recruitment market.

"Right now we're just concentrating on bringing the players back and with luck it will be a matter of weeks," he said. "It's clear how important those coming weeks are going to be."

Next Challenge

The squad experienced their initial loss in 18 matches at the weekend, cutting their advantage at the summit of the league to two clear points.

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

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