Hamstring Injury Sidelines Tzolis
Arsenal winger Christos Tzolis faces a two to three week absence after suffering a hamstring injury.
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Key Points
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Tzolis felt tightness in the back of his right thigh and reportedly wanted to continue, but Greece coach Ivan Jovanovic substituted him as a precaution.
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Before the injury, Tzolis had scored in Greece’s 2-1 win over Serbia and assisted the winning goal in a 1-0 victory over Germany.
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If the projected absence lasts three weeks, Tzolis could miss Arsenal’s matches against Leeds, Lille, Nottingham Forest and Bayern Munich; he could potentially return for the Everton fixture on October 24.
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Potential replacements on the left include Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze, while Bukayo Saka and Max Dowman could also be considered despite usually playing on the right.
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PAOK announced that Dimitris Pelkas had been called into Greece’s squad for its next Nations League match, against Germany at Toumba.
Arsenal winger Christos Tzolis is expected to miss two to three weeks after suffering a right hamstring injury during Greece's 2-2 draw with the Netherlands on October 1. The Athletic reports that Tzolis felt tightness in his thigh just 18 minutes into the match and was substituted as a precaution by Greece coach Ivan Jovanovic, who said he acted to "protect the player" during a non-competitive Nations League fixture.
The injury adds pressure to Arsenal's attacking depth at a critical time, with manager Mikel Arteta already managing injuries to Kai Havertz, William Saliba, and Cristhian Mosquera. football.london reports that Tzolis could miss matches against Leeds, Lille, Nottingham Forest, and Bayern Munich, with a potential return for the October 24 fixture against Everton.
The Moment Tzolis Went Down in Thessaloniki
Eighteen minutes into Greece's Nations League clash in Thessaloniki, Tzolis suddenly felt pain and tightness in the back of his right thigh. Goal.com describes him as visibly distressed on the pitch, covering his face with his shirt. Despite the discomfort, Tzolis initially resisted leaving the field, but Jovanovic made the call to pull him off before the injury could worsen.
"I told him to come off because I suspected he wouldn't have reacted that way unless he was feeling something," Jovanovic told Sport24. The Greek coach emphasized the decision was purely medical, not tactical, and that protecting the young winger in a non-qualifier took priority.
Tzolis Was Playing Well Before The Injury Struck
The 24-year-old arrived at Arsenal this summer in a €40 million (£34 million) transfer from Belgian club Brugge. Before the Netherlands match, Tzolis had impressed on the international stage. Andy's Football Highlights confirmed he scored in Greece's 2-1 win over Serbia on September 24, and he later assisted the winning goal in a 1-0 victory over Germany.
Goal.com notes that Tzolis has already established himself as Arsenal's primary left winger following the summer departures of Leandro Trossard to Besiktas and Gabriel Martinelli to Al-Hilal. His injury comes at the worst possible time for a squad stretched thin on the flank.
Arsenal's Thin Left Wing Options Create Headaches
Arsenal's summer recruitment strategy left the club with limited depth on the left wing. football.london reports that the club failed to secure alternative targets like Morgan Rogers or Vinicius Junior before the transfer window closed. With Tzolis sidelined, Mikel Arteta must find creative solutions.
Potential replacements include right-footed players Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze, or even moving Bukayo Saka or Max Dowman from their natural positions on the right. Goal.com highlights that these tactical compromises underscore how thin Arsenal's attacking depth has become after the summer overhaul.
A Critical Window of Missed Matches Ahead
If the three-week projection holds, Tzolis could miss four key fixtures. football.london lists them as the Premier League clashes against Leeds United (October 10) and Nottingham Forest (October 18), plus UEFA Champions League ties against Lille and Bayern Munich. The timing is brutal for Arsenal's European and domestic ambitions.
Arsenal will assess Tzolis further after he returns to London on October 2. metro.co.uk reports the club may adjust the timeline once internal medical staff complete their evaluation. A return against Everton on October 24 is the earliest realistic target, assuming no complications emerge.
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