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Mikel Arteta has expressed concern that his team's pursuit for honors this season is being jeopardized by a worrying cycle of injuries and a relentless fixture list.

Fresh Squad Update

Key midfielder Declan Rice did not travel for the Champions League trip to Belgium due to illness. Meanwhile, attacker Leandro Trossard and defender William Saliba remain on the sidelines.

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

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

Dowman's setback is the latest in a extensive list of injuries for the club. Since the start of last season, they have suffered 95 injuries, the second-highest total in the English top flight.

Long-Term Absences

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

Arteta rejected the suggestion that practice methods were to blame, pointing to a shortage of time for sessions. He highlighted the pressure on fit players, some of whom have played over 150 matches in two years.

Transfer Plans

Despite a major off-season spend exceeding £250 million, Arteta stated the club is not looking to enter the winter recruitment market.

"At the moment we're just concentrating on bringing the players back and with luck it will be a question of a short time," he commented. "We know how important those weeks are going to be."

Next Challenge

The squad suffered their initial defeat in 18 matches at the hands of Aston Villa, reducing their lead at the summit of the Premier League to two clear points.

Focus now shifts to the Champions League, where a sixth group-stage victory would all but secure a knockout phase finish. Winger Gabriel Martinelli could create a club record by finding the net in a fifth straight successive Champions League match.

"We are frustrated 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 stick together."