🔗 Share this article Arteta Warns Fitness Crisis Could Hinder The Gunners' Silverware Hunt Mikel Arteta has voiced fears that his squad's pursuit for honors this season is being threatened by a concerning cycle of injuries and a grueling schedule. Fresh Squad Update Star player Declan Rice missed the midweek trip to face Club Brugge due to sickness. In addition, attacker Leandro Trossard and defender William Saliba remain unavailable. There was, however, better news regarding Gabriel Jesus, with the South American striker added to their European squad. He comes in for the hurt youngster Max Dowman, who suffered an foot injury. "Training, no because we lack time to train. But clearly the fact that you are without players, you are loading other players more, there's a consequence to that and it's a really vicious circle." Dowman's setback is the most recent in a long series of injuries for the North London side. Since the beginning of last campaign, they have recorded 95 injuries, the second-highest total in the Premier League. Long-Term Absentees Defenders Cristhian Mosquera and Gabriel Magalhães are unlikely to return until 2025. Midfielder Kai Havertz still recover from surgery and "needs more time," as stated by the boss. Arteta dismissed the idea 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 games in two years. Recruitment Strategy Even after a significant summer spend over £250 million, Arteta insisted the club is not planning to dip into the winter transfer market. "At the moment we're just concentrating on getting the players back and hopefully it will be a matter of weeks," he commented. "It's clear how crucial those weeks are going to be." Looking Ahead The squad suffered their initial defeat in 18 matches at the weekend, cutting their lead at the summit of the league to two points. Attention now turns to the European stage, where a sixth group-stage win would virtually secure a knockout phase place. Forward Gabriel Martinelli could make history by finding the net in a fifth consecutive European match. "We are frustrated with the result, but we have to move forward," he stated. "This isn't like all is going wrong because we lost one game. So we remain united."