Christos Tzolis returns to Arsenal with suspected hamstring injury

Christos Tzolis will reportedly return to Arsenal for assessment on a suspected hamstring injury suffered while on international duty with Greece. The winger sustained the muscle issue 18 minutes into Thursday night’s 2-2 Nations League draw against the Netherlands at the Toumba Stadium in Thessaloniki. The £34 million summer signing from Club Brugge went down holding his leg shortly after having an opening goal disallowed for offside against team-mate Vangelis Pavlidis.

Tzolis Resists Substitution Before Leaving Greece Match

Tzolis attempted to continue playing after receiving treatment on the pitch with his shirt over his face. Greece head coach Ivan Jovanovic indicated post-match that the player initially resisted being substituted before eventually making way for Giorgos Masouras. Jovanovic explained that medical staff evaluated the muscular problem before the decision to withdraw the attacker was finalized.

How can I handle it, you tell me. I’m his coach, I tell him to come out and he says, ‘I’m not coming out’.Ivan Jovanovic via standard.co.uk

Sport24 and Greek journalist Dimitris Manakos reported that Tzolis will miss Sunday’s Group A2 fixture against Germany.

Arsenal Faces Extensive Injury List During International Break

The injury adds to an extensive fitness list for Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta during the extended three-week international window. Kai Havertz also returned early from Germany duty with a hamstring injury sustained against the Netherlands. Martin Odegaard shook off an ankle issue to start and play 90 minutes for Norway in a 2-1 defeat against Wales, while Ezri Konsa remained an unused substitute for England due to a knock.

Additional absences include Declan Rice withdrawing from the England squad at the start of the break, and Ben White missing out due to a groin problem. Defenders Cristhian Mosquera and Piero Hincapie are also managing fitness issues, and William Saliba remains a long-term absentee recovering from a back injury.

Premier League Fixture Preparations

Arsenal faces a mounting challenge to assemble a matchday squad ahead of their upcoming Premier League fixture. Tzolis enters the treatment room following an impactful start in English football that included four assists across eight appearances and five consecutive league starts.