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Mikel Arteta has voiced fears that his squad's chase for titles this season is being jeopardized by a worrying cycle of fitness setbacks and a grueling fixture list.

Latest Squad Update

Star player Declan Rice did not travel for the midweek clash to face Club Brugge due to sickness. Meanwhile, attacker Leandro Trossard and center-back William Saliba are still on the sidelines.

There was, on a brighter note, positive news regarding Gabriel Jesus, with the Brazilian striker registered to their European squad. He comes in for the injured youngster Max Dowman, who picked up an foot problem.

"Practice, 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 consequence to that and it's a truly dangerous cycle."

Dowman's issue is the latest in a long list of injuries 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 Absentees

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

Arteta rejected the suggestion that training intensity were to culprit, pointing to a shortage of opportunity for drills. He emphasized the pressure on fit players, some of whom have featured over 150 matches in two years.

Recruitment Strategy

Even after a major summer investment exceeding £250 million, Arteta insisted the club is not looking to dip into the January transfer market.

"At the moment we're just concentrating on getting the players back and with luck it will be a matter of weeks," he said. "It's clear how important those coming 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 consecutive group win would virtually guarantee a knockout phase place. Winger Gabriel Martinelli could make history by finding the net in a fifth consecutive European fixture.

"We are disappointed with the outcome, but we have to keep going," Martinelli said. "It's not like everything is going badly because we lost one game. So we remain united."