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Arsenal's manager has expressed concern that his team's chase for titles this campaign is being threatened by a worrying cycle of injuries and a grueling schedule.

Latest Team Update

Key midfielder Declan Rice did not travel for the Champions League trip to Belgium due to illness. Meanwhile, attacker Leandro Trossard and center-back William Saliba are still on the sidelines.

There was, however, better news regarding Gabriel Jesus, with the South American forward registered to their Champions League squad. He comes in for the hurt youngster Max Dowman, who suffered an foot injury.

"Practice, no because we lack 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 really vicious circle."

Dowman's issue is the latest in a long list of fitness problems for the club. Since the beginning of last season, they have recorded 95 injuries, the second-highest total in the English top flight.

Extended Absences

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

Arteta dismissed the suggestion that practice intensity were to blame, pointing to a lack of time for sessions. He highlighted the pressure on available players, some of whom have featured over 150 games in two years.

Transfer Plans

Even after a major off-season investment exceeding £250 million, Arteta insisted the team is unlikely planning to enter the winter recruitment market.

"Right now we're just concentrating on getting 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 team experienced their first loss in 18 games at the weekend, cutting their advantage at the top of the Premier League to two points.

Focus now turns to the Champions League, where a sixth group victory would virtually secure a knockout phase place. Forward Gabriel Martinelli could create a club record by finding the net in a fifth straight consecutive Champions League match.

"The team is frustrated with the outcome, but we have to keep going," he stated. "This isn't like everything is going wrong because we lost one game. So we remain united."