Mikel Arteta Fears Fitness Crisis Could Undermine The Gunners' Silverware Hunt

Arsenal's manager has expressed concern that his team's pursuit for honors this season is being threatened by a concerning circle of fitness setbacks and a relentless schedule.

Fresh Squad Update

Key midfielder Declan Rice missed the midweek trip to Belgium due to sickness. In addition, forward Leandro Trossard and center-back William Saliba remain unavailable.

There was, on a brighter note, positive news regarding Gabriel Jesus, with the South American forward registered to their Champions League squad. He comes in for the injured youngster Max Dowman, who suffered an foot problem.

"Practice, no because we lack time to train. But clearly the fact that you are missing players, you are placing demands on other players more, there's a knock-on effect to that and it's a really dangerous cycle."

Dowman's setback is the most recent in a extensive list of fitness problems for the North London side. Since the beginning of last campaign, they have recorded 95 player absences, the second-most total in the Premier League.

Extended Absentees

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

Arteta rejected the idea that practice methods were to culprit, citing a lack of time for sessions. He emphasized the pressure on fit players, some of whom have played over 150 games in two seasons.

Recruitment Plans

Even after a major off-season investment over £250 million, Arteta insisted the team is unlikely planning to enter the winter recruitment market.

"Right now we're just concentrating on getting the players back and with luck it will be a question of a short time," he said. "We know how crucial those weeks are going to be."

Next Challenge

The team suffered their first defeat in 18 matches at the hands of Aston Villa, reducing their advantage at the summit of the league to two points.

Attention now turns to the European stage, where a sixth consecutive group-stage win would all but secure a top-eight place. Forward Gabriel Martinelli could make a club record by finding the net in a fifth straight successive European fixture.

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