🔗 Share this article Arteta Warns Fitness Woes Could Hinder Arsenal's Trophy Hunt Mikel Arteta has expressed concern that his squad's pursuit for titles this campaign is being jeopardized by a worrying circle of fitness setbacks and a grueling fixture list. Latest Team Update Star player Declan Rice did not travel for the Champions League trip to Belgium due to sickness. In addition, attacker Leandro Trossard and center-back William Saliba are still on the sidelines. There was, however, positive news regarding Gabriel Jesus, with the Brazilian striker added to their Champions League squad. He comes in for the hurt youngster Max Dowman, who suffered an ankle problem. "Training, no because we don't have time to train. But obviously the fact that you are without players, you are placing demands on other players more, there's a knock-on effect to that and it's a truly dangerous cycle." Dowman's issue is the most recent in a extensive list of fitness problems for the North London side. Since the start of last campaign, they have recorded 95 injuries, the second-most total in the English top flight. Long-Term Absentees Defenders Cristhian Mosquera and Gabriel Magalhães are not expected to be back until the new year. Midfielder Kai Havertz still recover from surgery and "requires more time," as stated by the manager. Arteta dismissed the suggestion that practice methods were to culprit, pointing to a shortage of time for sessions. He highlighted the pressure on available players, some of whom have played over 150 matches in two seasons. Recruitment Strategy Even after a major off-season investment over £250 million, Arteta insisted the team is unlikely planning to enter the January transfer market. "At the moment we're just concentrating on bringing the players back and with luck it will be a matter of weeks," he commented. "We know how important those weeks are going to be." Next Challenge The team suffered their first defeat in 18 matches at the weekend, cutting their lead at the top of the league to two clear points. Attention now turns to the European stage, where a sixth group-stage victory would virtually guarantee a top-eight place. Forward Gabriel Martinelli could create history by finding the net in a fifth straight successive European fixture. "We are frustrated with the result, but we have to move forward," he stated. "It's not like all is going badly because we lost one game. So we remain united."