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Arsenal's manager has voiced fears that his squad's chase for honors this season is being threatened by a concerning cycle of injuries and a relentless schedule.

Latest Team Update

Key midfielder Declan Rice did not travel for the Champions League trip to Belgium due to sickness. In addition, forward Leandro Trossard and center-back William Saliba are still on the sidelines.

There was, however, positive news regarding Gabriel Jesus, with the South American forward added to their European squad. He comes in for the injured youngster Max Dowman, who picked up an foot problem.

"Training, no because we lack 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 dangerous circle."

Dowman's setback is the most recent in a extensive series of injuries for the club. Since the beginning of last campaign, they have recorded 95 injuries, the second-most total in the English top flight.

Long-Term Absences

• Defenders Cristhian Mosquera and Gabriel Magalhães are not expected to return until the new year.
• Midfielder Kai Havertz continues to rehabilitate from surgery and "needs more time," according to the boss.

Arteta dismissed the suggestion that practice intensity were to blame, pointing to a shortage of opportunity for sessions. He emphasized the pressure on available players, some of whom have played over 150 matches in two seasons.

Transfer Plans

Even after a major off-season spend over £250 million, Arteta insisted the club is not looking to dip into the January recruitment market.

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

Next Challenge

The team experienced their first defeat in 18 matches at the hands of Aston Villa, reducing their lead at the summit of the Premier League to two clear points.

Attention now shifts to the Champions League, where a sixth consecutive group victory would virtually secure a top-eight finish. Forward Gabriel Martinelli could make history by finding the net in a fifth consecutive Champions League fixture.

"The team is disappointed with the result, but we have to keep going," Martinelli stated. "This isn't like everything is going badly because we lost one game. So we stick together."