Arsenal hit by double injury blow.
Photo: Getty Images
Over the years, international breaks have often been periods of suspense, casting a shadow of fear over clubs, managers and fans whenever their prized assets answer the national call.
And in just the first international break of this season, one that has been filled with controversy across both club and international football — from Man City’s guilty verdict and official appeal over the 115 financial charges, Cristiano Ronaldo’s tantrums following Jorge Jesus’ refusal to mollycoddle the veteran in the Portuguese team, Lionel Messi’s upcoming farewell with the national team, to the Negreira case involving Barcelona — headlines are everywhere.
Perhaps, amid all of this, what will primarily be on the minds of Arsenal fans is the welfare of the 17 players away on international duty as the break enters its final stages.
Kai Havertz and Christos Tzolis injured
It did not even take half an hour of the Nations League campaign for Mikel Arteta to see one of his first-team players forced off.
Kai Havertz’s involvement for Germany lasted just 30 minutes against the Netherlands as he suffered another hamstring injury, although fortunately not a serious one.
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The German striker has grown into a key figure for the Gunners and has started every Premier League match this season, scoring two goals.
His link-up play, aerial presence and ability to drift into midfield to create space for runners will be a big loss for us in the coming weeks.
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Even worse, on Thursday, our new signing and first-choice left winger Christos Tzolis was taken off for Greece against the Netherlands in the 18th minute.
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The Greece international has registered four assists in eight appearances for us this season.
Losing both first-team players has caused concern among the fanbase, but perhaps their injuries will not have as big a ripple effect as many fear. Here is why.
The main consolation is that both setbacks are short-term, according to The Athletic reporter David Ornstein.
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Kai Havertz is expected to miss three to four weeks and could return against Everton later this month.
His absence will be deeply felt in the fixtures against Leeds United, Lille and potentially Nottingham Forest and Bayern Munich.
Two decent replacements to cover Havertz’s absence
But in Viktor Gyökeres and Mikel Merino, we have good cover for Havertz in the centre-forward position.
Even better is the fact that Viktor Gyökeres is in excellent form during this international break. He has scored in every match so far and converted three of his four shots on target, while also creating one big chance.
The Sweden international is in form and needed a run of goals to boost his confidence. With him likely to lead our line in the coming weeks, we may not miss Havertz quite as much as feared.
In Mikel Merino, Arsenal perhaps have one of the best finishers in the squad.
Even better is his ability to produce in clutch moments, something that can create a sense of inevitability for opposition defences — an attribute Arsenal may rely on even more in the coming weeks.
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The Spaniard has not led the line this season yet and, with Gyökeres likely to play around an hour in matches ahead, the introduction of super-sub Merino could prove crucial in helping us win points over the coming weeks.
Christos Tzolis is also expected to be out for around three to four weeks, but there is no reason to panic as we have good options capable of replacing the Greek winger on the left flank.
There is no doubt he will be missed because of his explosive runs, willingness to track back, ability to combine in tight spaces and his eye for goal. But in Eberechi Eze, Noni Madueke and the impressive Max Dowman, Arsenal have players capable of stepping up.
Eberechi Eze is likely to be the starter on that wing because of his exceptional dribbling and ball-carrying ability.
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His ability to cut inside onto his favoured right foot and shoot is another major asset.
Perhaps the biggest tactical tweak that could give us an edge in the coming weeks will come against teams deploying a low block. One option would be to shift Eberechi Eze into a dual-playmaker role alongside Martin Ødegaard, creating room for the overlapping Riccardo Calafiori and therefore increasing Arsenal’s attacking threat.
With Noni Madueke on the left, we have another good deputy for Tzolis because of his explosive one-v-one dribbling and ball-carrying ability.
Madueke averages more crosses when playing on the left side of the attack, as he is more likely to drive towards the byline before delivering into the box. That could work particularly well with Gyökeres and Merino, who are both strong in the air.
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Playing on the left could naturally make him more of a creator through his crossing.
It could also result in fewer wasteful shots and, with the winger fighting for greater consistency, the coming weeks might just provide the opportunity he needs to finally show his potential for the Gunners and fight for his future at the club.
With Bukayo Saka locking down the right side of Arsenal’s attack, the possibility of Max Dowman getting Premier League minutes appeared slim, with Madueke usually operating as his deputy. However, Tzolis’ injury could see Dowman earn opportunities from the left.
Max Dowman is arguably one of the most exciting youngsters in the league and his ability to drive past defenders and create or finish chances could come to the fore again.
In just one full appearance in the League Cup, the 16-year-old has already impressively scored twice and was rewarded with a nine-minute cameo in our last match against Brighton.
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He is unlikely to directly replace Tzolis in the league, but he could see minutes in the coming weeks once opposition defenders begin to tire. This may provide another opportunity for the youngster to add another goal or assist to his ever-promising Premier League career.
So, with Tzolis and Havertz out for around three to four weeks, their injuries should not derail our season because Arteta has built a strong squad filled with versatile and technically gifted players who can step up in both their primary and secondary positions.
The weeks ahead will once again test Arteta’s tactical ability and the depth of an Arsenal squad aiming to compete at the very highest level.