Mikel Arteta Fears Fitness Crisis Could Hinder Arsenal's Trophy Hunt
Mikel Arteta has voiced fears that his team's chase for titles this campaign is being threatened by a worrying cycle of injuries and a grueling fixture list.
Fresh Squad News
Key midfielder Declan Rice did not travel for the midweek trip to Belgium due to illness. In addition, forward Leandro Trossard and center-back William Saliba are still on the sidelines.
There was, on a brighter note, positive news regarding Gabriel Jesus, with the Brazilian striker registered to their European squad. He comes in for the injured youngster Max Dowman, who picked up an ankle problem.
"Training, no because we don't have time to train. But clearly the fact that you are without players, you are loading other players more, there's a knock-on effect to that and it's a truly vicious circle."
Dowman's setback is the most recent in a extensive series of fitness problems for the North London side. Since the start of last season, they have recorded 95 player absences, the second-highest total in the English top flight.
Extended Absences
- Defenders Cristhian Mosquera and Gabriel Magalhães are unlikely to be back until the new year.
- Midfielder Kai Havertz continues to rehabilitate from surgery and "needs more time," according to the manager.
Arteta dismissed the idea that training intensity were to culprit, pointing to a lack of time for sessions. He highlighted the strain on fit players, some of whom have featured over 150 matches in two years.
Recruitment Plans
Despite a major off-season spend over £250 million, Arteta insisted the team is unlikely planning to dip into the winter recruitment market.
"At the moment we're just focusing on bringing the players back and with luck it will be a matter of weeks," he said. "We know how crucial those weeks are going to be."
Next Challenge
The squad suffered their initial loss in 18 games at the weekend, cutting their lead at the top of the Premier League to two points.
Focus now shifts to the Champions League, where a sixth consecutive group win would virtually guarantee a top-eight finish. Winger Gabriel Martinelli could create history by finding the net in a fifth consecutive Champions League fixture.
"The team is frustrated with the result, but we have to keep going," Martinelli said. "It's not like all is going badly because we lost one game. So we stick together."
