Arsenal's Christos Tzolis Ruled Out Up To Three Weeks With Hamstring Injury
Arsenal attacker Christos Tzolis is set to miss up to three weeks after suffering a hamstring injury on international duty with Greece. The 24-year-old, signed from Club Brugge in the summer, pulled up in Greece's Nations League draw with the Netherlands and is now awaiting scan results.
- Player: Christos Tzolis, 24, signed from Club Brugge in the summer
- Injury: Right hamstring problem, sustained playing for Greece against the Netherlands
- Expected absence: Up to three weeks (around 20 days)
- Matches at risk: Leeds (H, Oct 10), Lille (H, Oct 13), Nottingham Forest (A, Oct 18)
- Possible return: Everton (Oct 24), with Bayern Munich (Oct 21) deemed optimistic
Injury and Availability
Christos Tzolis is facing up to three weeks out after suffering a right hamstring problem while playing for Greece. He lasted fewer than 20 minutes in Greece's Nations League draw with the Netherlands before pulling up. Arsenal are now waiting for the results of scans after the player underwent tests in Greece on Friday.
If the current three-week estimate proves accurate, Tzolis is set to miss Leeds at home on October 10, Lille at the Emirates on October 13 and Nottingham Forest away on October 18. There is a theoretical chance he could return in time for Bayern Munich on October 21, but that looks optimistic. A more sensible target would be Everton three days later, on October 24.
What was said
"How do I handle it? You tell me? I'm his coach, I tell him to go out and he says 'I'm not going out'."
"I told him to get out, because I suspected that he wouldn't have done that if he hadn't felt something. We don't know how big the damage is today, but I hoped it was just a twitch, something temporary."
"I didn't have any reason to be honest, because these aren't qualifiers, they're the Nations League. First and foremost I wanted to protect the player."
"He didn't want to stay near me to go out. Instead, he went to defend the corner. And then he went out. These are our players."
Jovanovic's quotes paint a picture of a player desperate to play for his country, even when his body is telling him otherwise. The Greece manager had to insist Tzolis leave the pitch after the winger initially refused to come off. It was an admirable show of commitment but exactly the kind of scenario that leaves club managers anxious during an international break.
From Arsenal's perspective, the concern is that Tzolis might have aggravated the hamstring by delaying his exit. Jovanovic admitted the damage was not yet known at the time, but the early signs suggest a spell on the sidelines. The fact the injury occurred in a Nations League fixture, rather than a qualifier, will frustrate Mikel Arteta given the competitive stakes are lower.
Why Arteta faces a squad depth headache in October
Christos Tzolis may not be the headline name in Arsenal's forward line, but his absence will be felt across a congested October schedule. The Gunners face six matches in a month across the Premier League, Champions League and domestic commitments. Removing one attacker from the rotation narrows Arteta's options quickly, especially with Leeds, Lille and Nottingham Forest all offering different challenges.
The loss of a summer signing from Club Brugge also disrupts the integration process. Tzolis was still adapting to English football, and a three-week layoff will interrupt his rhythm. Hamstring injuries are notorious for recurring when rushed, so Arsenal's medical staff must resist any temptation to accelerate his return for the Bayern Munich fixture on October 21. A more realistic target is the Everton game on October 24, which would give him extra recovery days.
Arteta will now look to his other attacking options to fill the void. The likes of Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka will need to shoulder more minutes, while younger squad members may get opportunities. Squad management across three competitions is a delicate balance, and this injury tilts it further towards Arteta's fringe players.
Talking points
- Should players ever refuse to come off when they feel a muscle injury? Tzolis's commitment was admirable but cost Arsenal.
- Was Jovanovic right to insist Tzolis go off, or should he have respected the player's desire to continue in a Nations League game?
- Arsenal's squad depth is often praised, but is it strong enough to cope with three weeks without a summer signing?
- Should clubs be compensated when players get injured on international duty? The debate will resurface after this.
What happens next
Arsenal await the results of Tzolis's scan in Greece, which should clarify the exact severity of the hamstring damage. In the meantime, the club will prepare for Leeds at home on October 10 without him. If the initial three-week estimate holds, Tzolis will also miss Lille at the Emirates on October 13 and Nottingham Forest away on October 18. His potential return could come against Bayern Munich on October 21, though Everton on October 24 is a more realistic target. Arsenal must manage his recovery carefully to avoid a longer absence.
Frequently asked questions
How long will Christos Tzolis be out for?
He is facing up to three weeks out, which is around 20 days, according to Standard Sport.
Which matches will Christos Tzolis miss?
If the estimate proves accurate, he will miss Leeds at home on October 10, Lille at the Emirates on October 13 and Nottingham Forest away on October 18.
When could Christos Tzolis return?
A return for Bayern Munich on October 21 is theoretically possible but optimistic; Everton on October 24 is a more sensible target.
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