Mikel Arteta Warns Fitness Crisis Could Undermine The Gunners' Silverware Quest
Mikel Arteta has voiced fears that his squad's chase for honors this season is being jeopardized by a worrying circle of injuries and a grueling schedule.
Latest Team Update
Key midfielder Declan Rice missed the Champions League trip to Belgium due to illness. In addition, forward Leandro Trossard and defender William Saliba remain unavailable.
There was, however, better news regarding Gabriel Jesus, with the Brazilian striker registered to their Champions League squad. He comes in for the injured youngster Max Dowman, who suffered an foot problem.
"Training, no because we lack time to train. But clearly the fact that you are without players, you are placing demands on other players more, there's a knock-on effect to that and it's a really vicious circle."
Dowman's setback is the most recent in a long list of fitness problems for the North London side. Since the beginning of last campaign, they have suffered 95 injuries, the second-most total in the Premier League.
Extended Absentees
- Defenders Cristhian Mosquera and Gabriel Magalhães are unlikely to return until 2025.
- Midfielder Kai Havertz still recover from knee and "needs more time," according to the manager.
Arteta rejected the suggestion that practice intensity were to blame, pointing to a lack of opportunity for sessions. He emphasized the strain on fit players, some of whom have featured over 150 matches in two years.
Transfer Strategy
Even after a major summer investment exceeding £250 million, Arteta insisted the team is unlikely planning to enter the January recruitment market.
"Right now we're just concentrating on bringing the players back and with luck it will be a matter of weeks," he commented. "We know how important those weeks are going to be."
Next Challenge
The squad experienced their first defeat in 18 matches at the weekend, cutting their lead at the top of the league to two points.
Attention now turns to the Champions League, where a sixth group victory would virtually secure a top-eight place. Winger Gabriel Martinelli could make a club record by scoring in a fifth consecutive Champions League fixture.
"The team is disappointed with the result, but we have to keep going," Martinelli said. "This isn't like all is going wrong because we lost one game. So we remain united."
