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Arsenal's manager has expressed concern that his team's chase for titles this season is being threatened by a worrying cycle of injuries and a relentless schedule.

Latest Squad News

Key midfielder Declan Rice missed the Champions League clash to Belgium due to illness. In addition, forward Leandro Trossard and center-back William Saliba are still on the sidelines.

There was, on a brighter note, better news regarding Gabriel Jesus, with the South American striker 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 obviously the fact that you are without players, you are loading other players more, there's a knock-on effect to that and it's a really vicious cycle."

Dowman's issue is the latest in a long list of injuries for the North London side. Since the start of last campaign, they have suffered 95 injuries, the second-highest total in the Premier League.

Extended Absentees

• Defenders Cristhian Mosquera and Gabriel Magalhães are unlikely to be back until the new year.
• Midfielder Kai Havertz still recover from knee and "requires more time," as stated by the manager.

Arteta dismissed the suggestion that practice intensity were to blame, pointing to a shortage of opportunity for sessions. He highlighted the strain on available players, some of whom have played over 150 matches in two seasons.

Transfer Strategy

Even after a significant summer investment over £250 million, Arteta stated the club is unlikely looking to enter the January recruitment market.

"Right now we're just focusing on getting the players back and with luck it will be a question of weeks," he said. "We know how crucial those weeks are going to be."

Looking Ahead

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

Attention now turns to the European stage, where a sixth group-stage win would virtually secure a knockout phase finish. Winger Gabriel Martinelli could create history by finding the net in a fifth straight successive European match.

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