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Mikel Arteta has expressed concern that his squad's chase for titles this campaign is being threatened by a concerning circle of fitness setbacks and a relentless fixture list.

Latest Team Update

Star player Declan Rice missed the midweek clash to Belgium due to sickness. Meanwhile, forward Leandro Trossard and center-back William Saliba are still unavailable.

There was, on a brighter note, better news regarding Gabriel Jesus, with the Brazilian forward added to their European squad. He comes in for the injured youngster Max Dowman, who suffered an ankle problem.

"Practice, no because we lack time to train. But obviously 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 vicious cycle."

Dowman's setback is the latest in a extensive list of injuries for the North London side. Since the beginning of last campaign, they have suffered 95 injuries, the second-most total in the English top flight.

Extended Absences

• Defenders Cristhian Mosquera and Gabriel Magalhães are unlikely to be back until 2025.
• Midfielder Kai Havertz still rehabilitate from surgery and "requires more time," as stated by the manager.

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

Recruitment Plans

Despite a significant off-season spend exceeding £250 million, Arteta insisted the club 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 question of a short time," he said. "We know how important those coming weeks are going to be."

Looking Ahead

The squad experienced their first defeat in 18 games at the weekend, reducing their advantage at the top of the Premier League to two points.

Focus now turns to the European stage, where a sixth group victory would all but guarantee a top-eight finish. Forward Gabriel Martinelli could create history by finding the net in a fifth straight consecutive European fixture.

"The team is frustrated with the outcome, but we have to keep going," Martinelli said. "It's not like everything is going wrong because we lost one game. So we remain united."