Arsenal latest: Gunners handed Club Brugge boost as UEFA opportunity emerges

Arsenal travel to Club Brugge in the Champions League on Wednesday following Saturday's 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa, with the hosts potentially missing up to nine players

Arsenal's first defeat since August has thrown them off balance, but Mikel Arteta has an opportunity to regain stability against Club Brugge. The Gunners are set to continue their Champions League campaign on Wednesday and are the only team yet to face defeat in the tournament.

However, following a 2-1 loss to Aston Villa on Saturday, Arsenal could be on course for a familiar slump in results if they suffer another blow in Belgium. Arteta has a unique chance to bolster his squad due to a recent UEFA rule change in the wake of more fitness concerns.

There is also optimism as Wednesday's opponents aren't showing strong form ahead of the midweek clash. And football.london delves into all the latest happenings at the Emirates as Arsenal aim to maintain top spot in the Champions League standings.

Club Brugge update boosts Gunners

Following on from their Villa Park disappointment, Arsenal might find comfort in Club Brugge's current form and injury woes. The Belgian heavyweights are grappling with an injury epidemic that could sideline up to nine players for Wednesday's clash.

Nicky Hayen's team is languishing at 26th in the Champions League table, having secured just one victory in their five outings so far. Their domestic performance mirrors their European struggles, with three losses in their last four matches across all competitions.

The club's casualty list includes both first-choice goalkeepers, Nordin Jackers and former Liverpool man Simon Mignolet, paving the way for Dani van den Heuvel to continue his stint in goal. Long-term injuries have also ruled out Ludovit Reis, Lynnt Audoor and Zaid Romero.

Adding to their troubles, Jorne Spileers and Mamadou Diakhon are likely to miss the Arsenal match due to illness. Romeo Vermant is undergoing concussion protocols, while Kyriani Sabbe is battling a groin issue.

Despite their challenges, Club Brugge cannot be underestimated, as evidenced by their 3-3 draw against Barcelona at Jan Breydel Stadium last month. However, Hayen's mounting squad problems certainly tip the scales in favour of the visiting English side.

Arteta spurns chance to rotate

The recent wave of injuries seems to be impacting Arsenal, especially if the defeat at Villa Park is any indication. Summer recruit Cristhian Mosquera is among the latest casualties, sidelined with an ankle issue that could keep him out for up to eight weeks.

According to a UEFA rule introduced this season, Arsenal have the option to replace Mosquera in their Champions League squad for the rest of the league phase. This has sparked rumours that Gabriel Jesus, who is en route to his latest comeback, could step in given the absences of Kai Havertz and Leandro Trossard, along with Viktor Gyokeres' recent recovery from injury.

However, football.london understands Mikel Arteta will pass up the opportunity to bring in Jesus, opting to keep Mosquera as one of his choices. The hope is Mosquera will recover in time to contribute to Arsenal's final first-round matches.

Jesus, who suffered an ACL injury in January, has yet to make an appearance this season but has returned to full training. He was recently named on the bench for two Premier League matches as an unused substitute before missing the Villa match to participate in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Manchester United.

This week marks Arteta's last chance to take advantage of the new UEFA rule, which will no longer be applicable after Matchday 6 (this week's round of fixtures). However, all indications currently suggest the deadline may come and go without any changes from Arteta.