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Arsenal's manager has voiced fears that his squad's chase for honors this campaign is being threatened by a worrying circle of injuries and a grueling fixture list.

Latest Squad Update

Key midfielder Declan Rice did not travel for the midweek trip to Belgium due to sickness. Meanwhile, forward Leandro Trossard and defender William Saliba are still unavailable.

There was, on a brighter note, positive news regarding Gabriel Jesus, with the Brazilian forward added to their European squad. He replaces the hurt youngster Max Dowman, who picked up an foot problem.

"Training, no because we lack time to train. But obviously the fact that you are without players, you are loading other players more, there's a knock-on effect 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 club. Since the beginning of last season, they have suffered 95 player absences, the second-most total in the Premier League.

Long-Term Absences

• Defenders Cristhian Mosquera and Gabriel Magalhães are not expected to be back until the new year.
• Midfielder Kai Havertz still recover from knee and "requires more time," as stated by the boss.

Arteta dismissed the suggestion that practice intensity were to blame, pointing to a shortage of opportunity for sessions. He highlighted the pressure on fit players, some of whom have played over 150 matches in two seasons.

Recruitment Plans

Even after a major summer investment exceeding £250 million, Arteta insisted the club is unlikely planning to enter the winter recruitment market.

"At the moment we're just focusing on bringing the players back and with luck it will be a matter of weeks," he said. "We know how crucial those coming weeks are going to be."

Looking Ahead

The team experienced their first loss in 18 matches at the weekend, reducing their advantage at the summit of the league to two clear points.

Attention now shifts to the Champions League, where a sixth consecutive group-stage win would virtually guarantee a knockout phase place. Winger Gabriel Martinelli could make a club record by scoring in a fifth consecutive Champions League fixture.

"The team is frustrated with the result, but we have to move forward," he stated. "It's not like all is going wrong because we lost one game. So we stick together."