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Mikel Arteta has voiced fears that his squad's pursuit for honors this season is being jeopardized by a concerning circle of fitness setbacks and a relentless schedule.

Latest Squad Update

Star player Declan Rice did not travel for the Champions League trip to Belgium due to sickness. Meanwhile, forward Leandro Trossard and center-back William Saliba are still on the sidelines.

There was, however, positive news regarding Gabriel Jesus, with the South American forward added to their European squad. He replaces the hurt youngster Max Dowman, who suffered an foot problem.

"Practice, no because we don't have 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 truly dangerous cycle."

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

Long-Term Absentees

• Defenders Cristhian Mosquera and Gabriel Magalhães are unlikely to be back until 2025.
• Midfielder Kai Havertz still rehabilitate from surgery and "requires more time," as stated by the manager.

Arteta dismissed the suggestion that training intensity were to blame, pointing to a shortage of time for drills. He highlighted the pressure on fit players, some of whom have featured over 150 games in two seasons.

Recruitment Plans

Even after a major summer investment exceeding £250 million, Arteta insisted the club is unlikely looking to enter the winter recruitment market.

"At the moment we're just concentrating on bringing the players back and hopefully 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 summit of the league to two points.

Attention now turns to the European stage, where a sixth group-stage victory would virtually secure a top-eight finish. Forward Gabriel Martinelli could make a club record by scoring in a fifth consecutive Champions League fixture.

"We are frustrated with the outcome, but we have to keep going," he said. "It's not like all is going wrong because we lost one game. So we stick together."