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Arsenal's manager has expressed concern that his squad's pursuit for titles this season is being threatened by a worrying circle of injuries and a grueling fixture list.

Fresh Squad News

Star player Declan Rice missed the Champions League clash to Belgium due to illness. In addition, forward Leandro Trossard and defender William Saliba remain unavailable.

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

"Training, no because we don't have time to train. But clearly the fact that you are missing players, you are loading other players more, there's a knock-on effect to that and it's a truly vicious cycle."

Dowman's setback is the latest in a long series of fitness problems for the North London side. Since the beginning of last campaign, 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 unlikely to be back until 2025.
• Midfielder Kai Havertz still recover from knee and "needs more time," according to the boss.

Arteta rejected the idea that practice intensity were to blame, citing a lack of opportunity for sessions. He highlighted the strain on fit players, some of whom have featured over 150 games in two years.

Transfer Plans

Even after a significant off-season spend over £250 million, Arteta stated the club is unlikely planning to dip into the winter transfer market.

"At the moment we're just concentrating on bringing the players back and with luck it will be a question of weeks," he commented. "It's clear how crucial those weeks are going to be."

Looking Ahead

The team suffered their first defeat in 18 games at the weekend, cutting their advantage at the summit of the league to two points.

Focus now shifts to the European stage, where a sixth consecutive group-stage win would all but guarantee a top-eight place. Winger Gabriel Martinelli could make history by finding the net in a fifth straight consecutive European fixture.

"The team is 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 remain united."