Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has dismissed suggestions that he is overworking his squad despite the club suffering yet another worrying injury wave. The Gunners entered their Champions League trip to Club Bruges with seven players unavailable, only weeks after welcoming Viktor Gyokeres and Noni Madueke back from extended absences.
Arteta responded sharply to claims that demanding training sessions were the cause of the growing list of absentees, insisting the reality was quite the opposite. “No, because we don’t train,” he remarked. “Today we’ve done 20 minutes, so surely it’s not because we overtrained the players.” The Spaniard, however, admitted that the absence of several key figures forces him to overuse others, potentially creating a dangerous cycle of fatigue.
The Arsenal boss went on to defend his medical approach, stressing that the problem stems from circumstances rather than fitness preparation. He insisted that long-term injuries dating back to the start of the season have distorted perceptions about the current situation.
Long-Term Absences Deepen Arsenal’s Defensive Strain
Arsenal remained without both first-choice centre-backs William Saliba and Gabriel during Saturday’s dramatic 2–1 defeat to Aston Villa, a setback Arteta described as “frustrating but unavoidable”. Their absence has forced the Gunners into defensive reshuffles, with Cristhian Mosquera and Kai Havertz also sidelined in recent weeks.
For the Champions League fixture in Belgium, Leandro Trossard and young midfielder Max Dowman were left at home due to a knock and ankle injury respectively, while Declan Rice missed out through illness. It pushes Arsenal’s total number of injuries to 95 since the start of last season—second only to Brighton.
Arteta emphasised that each injury must be analysed independently rather than placed under one broad cause. He pointed out that several players have accumulated massive workloads in recent seasons, with some featuring in over 150 matches across two campaigns.
Fatigue and Fixture Demands at the Heart of the Issue
The Arsenal manager noted that repeated high-intensity competition leaves even the most robust players vulnerable over time. “At some point, they will break down,” he admitted, while insisting the club constantly reviews training plans, workloads and medical procedures.
Arteta argued that fixture congestion across Europe has become unsustainable, with elite players facing relentless physical strain. He believes football’s expanding calendar has left teams exposed, not purely by training regimes, but by year-round competitive commitments. “Sometimes,” he said, “we just need things to go on our side.”
Despite the fatigue element, Arteta reiterated that Arsenal are doing “the right things” behind the scenes. He praised the medical department and highlighted ongoing efforts to improve recovery cycles and limit recurrence.
Champions League Progress in Sight
While injuries continue to hinder squad selection, Arsenal’s Champions League campaign remains flawless. The Gunners are the only team left in the competition with a 100 per cent record, a statistic that speaks volumes about their resilience amid setbacks.
Victory over Club Bruges on Wednesday would secure a top-eight finish and automatic passage to the last-16, further underlining Arsenal’s European momentum despite domestic frustrations. Arteta described reaching the knockout stage early as essential for reducing pressure on his depleted squad.
The manager further warned that Arsenal must avoid repeating mistakes from the weekend defeat but insisted confidence remains high. “We’ve sustained results, even with challenges,” he said.
Jesus Nears Return After Long Lay-Off
There was brighter news elsewhere as Gabriel Jesus was added to Arsenal’s Champions League squad and could make his first appearance since January. The Brazilian has been recovering from knee surgery and was initially expected back at the end of December.
However, Arteta praised the forward’s determination. “Gabi has been pushing every single day,” he revealed. “He kept telling everybody, ‘I’m going to be earlier’, and he has done.” Jesus replaces 15-year-old Max Dowman, whose ankle injury in a behind-closed-doors game ruled him out.
With a crucial winter period approaching, Arsenal hope the Brazilian’s return can provide fresh attacking impetus and relieve some burden from overstretched regulars. Whether the Gunners can maintain momentum despite mounting fatigue, however, will remain a central question as the season enters its most demanding phase.
