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Mikel Arteta has expressed concern that his team's pursuit for titles this campaign is being jeopardized by a concerning cycle of fitness setbacks and a relentless schedule.

Latest Team Update

Star player Declan Rice missed the midweek clash to Belgium due to sickness. In addition, attacker Leandro Trossard and center-back William Saliba are still on the sidelines.

There was, however, better news regarding Gabriel Jesus, with the Brazilian forward added to their Champions League squad. He replaces the hurt youngster Max Dowman, who picked up an ankle injury.

"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 consequence to that and it's a truly dangerous cycle."

Dowman's issue is the most recent in a extensive series of injuries for the North London side. Since the start of last season, they have suffered 95 player absences, the second-most 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 continues to rehabilitate from surgery and "requires more time," according to the manager.

Arteta dismissed the idea that practice intensity were to culprit, pointing to a shortage of opportunity for drills. He emphasized the pressure on fit players, some of whom have featured over 150 games in two years.

Transfer Strategy

Even after a significant off-season investment over £250 million, Arteta insisted the club is unlikely planning to enter the winter transfer market.

"Right now we're just concentrating on getting the players back and with luck it will be a question of a short time," he commented. "It's clear how important those weeks are going to be."

Next Challenge

The squad experienced their first defeat in 18 games at the hands of Aston Villa, reducing their advantage 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 all but secure a knockout phase finish. Winger Gabriel Martinelli could make a club record by finding the net in a fifth straight successive Champions League match.

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