🔗 Share this article Arteta Warns Injury Woes Could Hinder Arsenal's Trophy Quest Mikel Arteta has voiced fears that his squad's chase for titles this campaign is being threatened by a worrying cycle of injuries and a grueling fixture list. Fresh Team News Key midfielder Declan Rice missed the Champions League clash to Belgium due to illness. Meanwhile, attacker Leandro Trossard and center-back William Saliba remain unavailable. There was, on a brighter note, positive news regarding Gabriel Jesus, with the Brazilian forward registered to their Champions League squad. He replaces the hurt youngster Max Dowman, who suffered an ankle injury. "Training, no because we don't have 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 circle." Dowman's setback is the most recent in a extensive series of fitness problems for the North London side. Since the beginning of last season, they have recorded 95 player absences, the second-highest total in the Premier League. Extended Absences Defenders Cristhian Mosquera and Gabriel Magalhães are unlikely to return until the new year. Midfielder Kai Havertz still rehabilitate from knee and "requires more time," according to the manager. Arteta dismissed the suggestion that practice intensity were to blame, citing a shortage of opportunity for drills. He emphasized the strain on available players, some of whom have featured over 150 games in two years. Recruitment Strategy Even after a significant off-season spend exceeding £250 million, Arteta stated the team is unlikely looking to dip into the January transfer 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 coming weeks are going to be." Looking Ahead The team suffered their first defeat in 18 matches at the hands of Aston Villa, reducing their advantage at the top of the Premier League to two clear points. Attention now turns to the European stage, where a sixth consecutive group win would virtually guarantee a top-eight place. Winger Gabriel Martinelli could make a club record by finding the net in a fifth straight consecutive European fixture. "We are disappointed with the result, but we have to move forward," Martinelli stated. "It's not like all is going badly because we lost one game. So we remain united."