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Mikel Arteta has expressed concern that his team's pursuit for titles this campaign is being threatened by a concerning cycle of fitness setbacks and a relentless schedule.

Latest Team News

Key midfielder Declan Rice did not travel for the Champions League clash to Belgium due to illness. Meanwhile, attacker Leandro Trossard and defender William Saliba remain on the sidelines.

There was, on a brighter note, better news regarding Gabriel Jesus, with the South American forward registered to their European squad. He replaces the hurt youngster Max Dowman, who picked up an ankle problem.

"Training, no because we lack time to train. But obviously the fact that you are missing players, you are loading other players more, there's a consequence to that and it's a truly dangerous cycle."

Dowman's setback is the latest in a long list of fitness problems for the North London side. Since the beginning of last season, they have suffered 95 player absences, the second-highest total in the English top flight.

Long-Term Absentees

• Defenders Cristhian Mosquera and Gabriel Magalhães are not expected to be back until 2025.
• Midfielder Kai Havertz continues to rehabilitate from surgery and "needs more time," as stated by the manager.

Arteta dismissed the idea that training methods were to culprit, pointing to a lack of time for sessions. He emphasized the pressure on available players, some of whom have featured over 150 matches in two seasons.

Recruitment Plans

Even after a major summer spend over £250 million, Arteta insisted the club is unlikely planning to enter the winter transfer 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 weeks are going to be."

Looking Ahead

The squad suffered their initial defeat in 18 matches at the weekend, reducing their lead at the summit of the Premier League to two points.

Focus now shifts to the European stage, where a sixth group victory would all but secure a top-eight place. Forward Gabriel Martinelli could make a club record by scoring in a fifth straight successive European fixture.

"The team is disappointed with the outcome, but we have to keep going," he said. "It's not like all is going wrong because we lost one game. So we stick together."