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Arsenal's manager has voiced fears that his team's pursuit for honors this campaign is being threatened by a concerning circle of fitness setbacks and a grueling schedule.

Latest Team Update

Star player Declan Rice missed the midweek trip to face Club Brugge due to sickness. Meanwhile, attacker Leandro Trossard and center-back William Saliba are still unavailable.

There was, however, positive news regarding Gabriel Jesus, with the South American striker added to their Champions League squad. He comes in for the hurt youngster Max Dowman, who picked up an foot injury.

"Training, no because we don't have time to train. But obviously the fact that you are without players, you are loading other players more, there's a consequence to that and it's a really dangerous circle."

Dowman's issue is the latest in a extensive series of fitness problems for the club. Since the start of last campaign, they have recorded 95 player absences, the second-most total in the Premier League.

Long-Term Absentees

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

Arteta rejected the idea that training methods were to culprit, pointing to a shortage of opportunity for sessions. He emphasized the strain on available players, some of whom have featured over 150 matches in two years.

Recruitment Plans

Despite a significant summer investment exceeding £250 million, Arteta insisted the team is unlikely looking to enter the winter transfer market.

"Right now we're just focusing on bringing the players back and hopefully it will be a question of weeks," he commented. "It's clear how important those weeks are going to be."

Looking Ahead

The squad experienced their initial defeat in 18 matches at the hands of Aston Villa, cutting their lead at the summit of the Premier League to two points.

Attention now turns to the Champions League, where a sixth group-stage win would all but guarantee a knockout phase finish. Forward Gabriel Martinelli could make history by finding the net in a fifth successive Champions League match.

"The team is frustrated with the result, but we have to move forward," he said. "It's not like all is going badly because we lost one game. So we remain united."