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Mikel Arteta has expressed concern that his team's chase for honors this campaign is being jeopardized by a worrying circle of fitness setbacks and a grueling fixture list.

Fresh Team Update

Key midfielder Declan Rice did not travel for the Champions League trip to face Club Brugge due to sickness. In addition, attacker Leandro Trossard and center-back William Saliba remain on the sidelines.

There was, on a brighter note, positive news regarding Gabriel Jesus, with the South American striker added to their European squad. He comes in for the hurt youngster Max Dowman, who suffered an foot injury.

"Training, no because we don't have 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 dangerous cycle."

Dowman's setback is the most recent in a extensive list of injuries for the club. Since the beginning of last campaign, they have recorded 95 player absences, the second-most total in the English top flight.

Long-Term Absences

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

Arteta rejected the suggestion that practice methods were to blame, citing a lack of opportunity for drills. He emphasized the strain on available players, some of whom have featured over 150 matches in two seasons.

Transfer Strategy

Even after a major off-season spend exceeding £250 million, Arteta stated the club is unlikely looking to enter the winter recruitment market.

"At the moment we're just concentrating on getting the players back and hopefully it will be a matter of a short time," he commented. "We know how crucial those weeks are going to be."

Looking Ahead

The squad experienced their first loss in 18 games at the weekend, reducing their advantage at the top of the league to two clear points.

Focus now shifts to the Champions League, where a sixth consecutive group win would all but guarantee a top-eight finish. Forward Gabriel Martinelli could make a club record by scoring in a fifth successive Champions League fixture.

"The team is frustrated with the outcome, but we have to move forward," Martinelli stated. "This isn't like all is going wrong because we lost one game. So we stick together."