Arsenal winger Christos Tzolis is the latest player to face an injury scare after being forced off during Greece's match against the Netherlands with a suspected hamstring issue. This adds to manager Mikel Arteta's concerns during a challenging international break.
Tzolis, a summer signing for Arsenal, was a starter in the UEFA Nations League fixture but had to leave the field within the first 18 minutes. He was seen clutching the back of his leg after an attacking run and immediately indicated to the bench that he could not continue. Medical staff attended to the player on the pitch before he was helped off.
The 24-year-old, who arrived at the Emirates Stadium in a £34 million deal after scoring 23 goals in Belgium, is set to undergo scans in London to determine the severity of the muscle damage. This news comes as Arsenal already faces a growing list of fitness concerns ahead of their next Premier League match.
Kai Havertz also returned early from international duty with Germany due to his own hamstring problem, casting doubt on his availability. Additionally, Declan Rice withdrew from the England squad as a precautionary measure to manage fitness and workload. The potential absence of Tzolis and Havertz simultaneously would be a significant blow to Arsenal's attacking options.
The Gunners are preparing to face Leeds United when club football resumes. Manager Mikel Arteta is now awaiting further updates from his medical team to ascertain which players will be fit for the upcoming fixture. For Tzolis, the priority is the outcome of his assessment, with the club hoping his substitution was not indicative of a long-term injury.
