🔗 Share this article Mikel Arteta Warns Fitness Woes Could Hinder The Gunners' Silverware Hunt Arsenal's manager has voiced fears that his squad's chase for honors this season is being threatened by a concerning cycle of fitness setbacks and a grueling fixture list. Fresh Team News Star player Declan Rice did not travel for the midweek trip to Belgium due to sickness. Meanwhile, forward Leandro Trossard and center-back William Saliba remain on the sidelines. There was, however, better news regarding Gabriel Jesus, with the Brazilian forward registered to their European squad. He comes in for the hurt youngster Max Dowman, who suffered an foot problem. "Training, no because we lack time to train. But clearly the fact that you are missing players, you are loading other players more, there's a consequence to that and it's a really dangerous circle." Dowman's setback is the latest in a long list of injuries for the North London side. Since the start of last campaign, they have recorded 95 injuries, the second-most total in the Premier League. Extended Absentees Defenders Cristhian Mosquera and Gabriel Magalhães are unlikely to return until 2025. Midfielder Kai Havertz still rehabilitate from surgery and "needs more time," as stated by the boss. Arteta dismissed the idea that practice intensity were to culprit, citing a shortage of opportunity for drills. He emphasized the strain on fit players, some of whom have featured over 150 matches in two seasons. Recruitment Plans Even after a significant summer investment over £250 million, Arteta stated the club is not 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 question of a short time," he commented. "We know how important those coming weeks are going to be." Looking Ahead The squad experienced their first defeat in 18 games at the hands of Aston Villa, cutting their advantage at the summit of the Premier League to two clear points. Focus now shifts to the European stage, where a sixth consecutive group-stage victory would virtually guarantee a top-eight finish. Winger Gabriel Martinelli could create history by scoring in a fifth straight successive European fixture. "We are frustrated with the result, but we have to keep going," Martinelli said. "This isn't like all is going badly because we lost one game. So we remain united."