Arsenal have suffered another major injury scare after summer signing Christos Tzolis was forced off with a hamstring injury during Greece’s UEFA Nations League clash with the Netherlands.
The 24-year-old winger was handed a start for Greece in Thessaloniki on Thursday night but his evening lasted just 18 minutes.
Tzolis had earlier seen a brilliantly taken goal ruled out for offside in the 13th minute. Five minutes later, after an attacking sprint down the left against Denzel Dumfries, he pulled up clutching the back of his right leg and immediately signalled to the bench.
The former Club Brugge star was visibly distraught, pulling his shirt over his face while receiving treatment on the turf, before being replaced by Giorgos Masouras in the 18th minute.
It is a huge worry for Mikel Arteta. Tzolis, who joined Arsenal in a £34m deal after a 23-goal campaign in Belgium, has enjoyed a flying start in North London with four assists in eight appearances across all competitions.
Also Read: Tzolis Is Best Signing Of The Summer Transfer Window —Man United Legend
His setback adds to what has been a nightmare international break for the Gunners. Kai Havertz withdrew from Germany squad with a hamstring strain, Declan Rice pulled out of England duty for load management and Martin Odegaard picked up an ankle knock against Portugal. Also Ben White, Cristhian Mosquera and William Saliba are already sidelined.
Early reports in Greece suggest a Grade 1 hamstring strain, but Tzolis will now return to London for scans at London Colney to determine the full extent.
The positive for Arsenal is that he was able to stay on the bench and was seen celebrating Greece’s goals as they drew 2-2 with the Netherlands, with Fotis Ioannidis and Masouras scoring before Virgil van Dijk and Tijjani Reijnders equalised.
Arsenal return to Premier League action against Leeds United at the Emirates on October 10, and Arteta could now be forced to hand Eberechi Eze his first league start on the left wing.
