Tzolis injury absence confirmed as Arsenal alerted to major concern

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Robin Bairner | Chief Editor

Arsenal’s Christos Tzolis left Greece’s Nations League clash against the Netherlands with an injury, and the absence of the winger has now been confirmed in an update that exposes a potential weakness in Mikel Arteta’s squad.

Tzolis was taken off just 18 minutes into Greece’s 2-2 Nations League draw with the Dutch, sparking fear around the Emirates Stadium that the 24-year-old faces a prolonged absence that will test the depth of the Arsenal squad.

While there has been no official confirmation of the extent of the injury the former Club Brugge star has suffered, Gazzetta reports that there is no chance of him featuring against Germany.

But in a more positive update for Arsenal, Greece head coach Ivan Jovanovic explained that Tzolis did not want to leave the field against the Dutch, offering hope that the issue, which appears to be with his hamstring, is not as serious as first feared.

“How did I handle it? I asked him: ‘Will you come off?’ He says no. This is something that characterises the Greece players in the national team, no matter their age,” the coach explained in quotes published by ERTSports.

“We do not know what damage he has yet. I thought it was a contraction and something temporary.

“Most of all, I wanted to protect him, he did not want to stay near me and then he came off.”

Tzolis is already vital for Arsenal

Arsenal are particularly invested in Tzolis as they are lacking recognised cover for the left winger after allowing both Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli to depart in the summer.

Eberechi Eze could feature in the role, but given that Tzolis has started all five Premier League matches to date, it’s clear that Arteta believes the Greek is the stronger option.

Indeed, Arsenal’s transfer strategy in the summer has left them exposed in that area.

It was something they tried to address but was clearly not a top priority. The Gunners were willing to sign a superstar to slot into that role, with a move for Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior explored, though the London side were only prepared to make an official approach if the Brazilian gave them a nod he was ready to make a move – something that never came.

Injury blow a warning for the Gunners

While it appears that Tzolis should be back in action comparatively soon, his absence should serve as a warning shot to Arsenal that more cover may be required in that area.

The 24-year-old may have struggled to produce a strong output at his new club – no goals and two assists in seven matches – but SciSports rates his performances highly despite his limited output, ranking him second among Premier League wingers.

This has been accompanied by a rapid growth of his Estimated Transfer Value, which has seen his value virtually double from €23.9 million to €47.9m.

Given Arsenal only signed him for €40m, Arteta appears to have found another excellent value signing – but that’s not to say the Gunners don’t need another option.