🔗 Share this article Mikel Arteta Fears Injury Woes Could Undermine Arsenal's Silverware Quest Arsenal's manager has voiced fears that his squad's pursuit for honors this season is being jeopardized by a worrying circle of fitness setbacks and a grueling schedule. Fresh Team Update Star player Declan Rice did not travel for the midweek clash to face Club Brugge due to illness. Meanwhile, forward Leandro Trossard and defender William Saliba are still unavailable. There was, however, positive news regarding Gabriel Jesus, with the South American forward added to their Champions League squad. He replaces the injured youngster Max Dowman, who suffered an foot injury. "Practice, no because we don't have time to train. But clearly the fact that you are missing players, you are placing demands on other players more, there's a consequence to that and it's a really dangerous circle." Dowman's issue is the most recent in a long series of injuries for the North London side. Since the start of last campaign, they have suffered 95 injuries, the second-most total in the Premier League. Extended Absentees Defenders Cristhian Mosquera and Gabriel Magalhães are not expected to be back until 2025. Midfielder Kai Havertz continues to rehabilitate from knee and "requires more time," according to the manager. Arteta rejected the suggestion that training methods were to culprit, pointing to a lack of opportunity for drills. He highlighted the strain on available players, some of whom have featured over 150 games in two years. Recruitment Plans Despite a major summer investment over £250 million, Arteta insisted the club is unlikely looking to dip into the January recruitment market. "At the moment we're just focusing on bringing the players back and hopefully it will be a matter of weeks," he said. "We know how important those weeks are going to be." Looking Ahead The squad suffered their first loss in 18 games at the hands of Aston Villa, reducing their advantage at the summit of the league to two points. Focus now shifts to the Champions League, where a sixth group win would all but guarantee a top-eight place. Winger Gabriel Martinelli could create a club record by scoring in a fifth straight successive Champions League fixture. "We are disappointed with the outcome, but we have to move forward," Martinelli said. "It's not like all is going badly because we lost one game. So we stick together."