Mikel Arteta has revealed that Eberechi Eze had an injury issue ahead of Sunday’s game against Liverpool, increasing the importance of Christos Tzolis’ return.
Arsenal fans were somewhat surprised to see Christos Tzolis in the starting lineup against Liverpool over the weekend, as the player was only making his first appearance in the squad after weeks out injured.
But Mikel Arteta explained afterwards that part of the problem was a new injury issue for left-wing alternative option Eberechi Eze.
“We had an issue with Ebs as well,” Arteta revealed. “It was incredible that he was in the squad today. I want to give credit to all the medical and the performance team because what they’re doing with those boys is incredible, every three days to keep everybody at this level.
“That’s why these are the margins sometimes where you win a football match and not when you have somebody available or not.”
As mentioned, Eze was in the squad for the match, and he spent much of the contest warming up on the sidelines, so the hope is that he’ll be back to full fitness very shortly.
Then the good news with the returning Tzolis was that he came through the match without any issues, despite immediately returning to the starting lineup and playing most of the 90. He was only eventually substituted with six minutes to play.
“With Christos it’s incredible,” Arteta said. “He didn’t want to come off; he wanted to complete the game. We took some risks and at that point we decided, now is enough.”
With Eze and Tzolis both available, Arsenal will have options on the left again. Ceadach O’Neill also travelled with the squad for the Liverpool game as the extra man, and he might get chances at times too.
On the other side, Arsenal are a little reliant on Noni Madueke, with Bukayo Saka injured and Max Dowman suspended. Dowman will at least be available for the midweek game against Slavia Praha, as his three-game ban only applies domestically.
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