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Mikel Arteta has expressed concern that his team's chase for honors this campaign is being jeopardized by a worrying cycle of injuries and a relentless schedule.

Fresh Squad Update

Key midfielder Declan Rice did not travel for the midweek trip to Belgium due to sickness. In addition, attacker Leandro Trossard and defender William Saliba remain on the sidelines.

There was, on a brighter note, better news regarding Gabriel Jesus, with the Brazilian forward added to their European squad. He replaces the injured youngster Max Dowman, who picked up an ankle injury.

"Training, no because we don't have time to train. But clearly the fact that you are missing players, you are placing demands on other players more, there's a consequence to that and it's a truly dangerous cycle."

Dowman's setback is the latest in a long series of fitness problems 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 the new year.
• Midfielder Kai Havertz still rehabilitate from knee and "needs more time," according to the boss.

Arteta dismissed the idea that training intensity were to blame, citing a shortage of opportunity for drills. He emphasized the pressure on available players, some of whom have played over 150 matches in two seasons.

Recruitment Plans

Despite a major off-season investment exceeding £250 million, Arteta insisted the club is unlikely planning to dip into the January transfer market.

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

Looking Ahead

The squad experienced their first loss in 18 games at the weekend, reducing their advantage at the summit of the Premier League to two clear points.

Attention now shifts to the Champions League, where a sixth consecutive group win would all but secure a top-eight place. Winger Gabriel Martinelli could create history by finding the net in a fifth successive Champions League match.

"We are frustrated with the outcome, but we have to move forward," Martinelli said. "This isn't like everything is going wrong because we lost one game. So we stick together."