Mikel Arteta acknowledged that Arsenal finds itself in a “really dangerous cycle,” yet he refuted claims of overtraining his squad as the injury crisis worsened, with teenager Max Dowman ruled out for “weeks.”
Arteta reported that the 15-year-old Dowman sustained an ankle injury during a closed-door friendly on Saturday.
As a result, he has been removed from Arsenal’s Champions League roster, preventing him from participating in the competition until the knockout phases.
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Leandro Trossard will not be traveling to Belgium for Arsenal’s league phase clash against Club Brugge due to an injury sustained in the recent Premier League defeat to Aston Villa.
Declan Rice is also out due to illness, while defenders William Saliba, Gabriel, and Cristhian Mosquera, along with forward Kai Havertz, remain unavailable.
Arsenal has encountered a staggering 95 injuries since the prior Premier League season, second only to Brighton, with 28 injuries already recorded this season, among the highest in the league.
When asked about the possibility of overtraining his players, Arteta responded, “No, because we don’t have enough time to train. We’ve only had 20 minutes today, so it’s certainly not due to overtraining. However, when you lose players, it puts more strain on the others, which can lead to more injuries, creating a dangerous cycle.”
“It’s essential to differentiate between types of injuries; some are long-term, while others are acute. We’re actively monitoring the situation. Competing with numerous injuries adds pressure and can increase the risk of further injuries.”
Commenting on Dowman’s situation, Arteta noted, “This is part of the journey. At this level and in his position, facing such challenges is expected. While it’s unfortunate, it could have been worse. We will use this time to help him improve his understanding of professional football, develop his physicality, and refine his habits.”
In a rare positive development, Gabriel Jesus may make his first appearance for Arsenal in 332 days against Club Brugge. The 28-year-old forward has been out since rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament in a FA Cup match against Manchester United on January 12. Arsenal confirmed he has been registered for their Champions League squad, taking over Dowman’s slot.
Jesus was an unused substitute in Arsenal’s 1-1 draw against Chelsea last month and in the subsequent 2-0 home victory over Brentford.
Mikel Merino has stepped up to lead the line for Arsenal, while Viktor Gyökeres has made his last three appearances as a substitute due to a groin injury.
The Gunners are looking to rebound from their 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa last Saturday and aim for their sixth consecutive Champions League win.