Photo by Francesco Scaccianoce - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
Photo by Francesco Scaccianoce - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
Jack Wilshere says forgotten Arsenal player was simply 'a joke' of a talent
Jack Wilshere says forgotten Arsenal player was simply 'a joke' of a talent
Jack Wilshere thinks he knows exactly where Max Dowman will end up playing for Arsenal
Jack Wilshere thinks he knows exactly where Max Dowman will end up playing for Arsenal
Max Dowman did something as a 13-year-old that left Jack Wilshere speechless
Max Dowman did something as a 13-year-old that left Jack Wilshere speechless
What sources in Greece are saying about the extent of Christos Tzolis' injury
What sources in Greece are saying about the extent of Christos Tzolis' injury
Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images
Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images
Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Photo by Arsenal FC/Arsenal FC / Getty Images
Photo by Arsenal FC/Arsenal FC / Getty Images
Photo by Dijks Media/MB Media/Getty Images
Photo by Dijks Media/MB Media/Getty Images
You have to admire that determination in a player, particularly in the modern game, but the injury is real, and it would’ve got considerably worse had he stayed on and played through it. Mikel Arteta obviously wouldn’t have wanted that.
Image of Mikel Arteta looking dejected alongside of list of players he has signed for Arsenal from outside Europe's top-five leagues
Credit: Getty Images/Shaun Botterill
The Arsenal manager and fans alike have all been anxiously awaiting news on the timeline since. Greek journalist Eva Bellou was first to provide an estimate, suggesting one to three weeks for a minor pull or three to six weeks for a Grade 2 tear. Now, further detail has emerged.
Greece sources provide timeline for Christos Tzolis recovery
Journalist Ryan Taylor has added some more clarity to the severity of Tzolis’ injury after speaking to sources close to the Greek Football Federation.
Speaking on the Seeing Red podcast, Taylor said: “I did do some digging on this on Friday, and sources close to the Greek Football Federation say 15 to 20 days. Arsenal say they want to assess him when he comes back to England. But either way, it looks like he’s going to be out for the next couple of games at least.”
15 to 20 days points towards the optimistic end of Bellou’s original estimate, suggesting a minor rather than serious injury. That is encouraging. But it still means Tzolis will almost certainly miss the Leeds game on Saturday and potentially the fixtures that follow.
Arsenal were warned this summer about not replacing Gabriel Martinelli with a natural left winger. Eberechi Eze will likely step in for the time being, but an opportunity could be handed to Noni Madueke, who Arteta still views as a key player. The Tzolis injury has made an already thin position even slimmer at the wrong time.
Arsenal will make their own assessment as he returns. But for now, two to three weeks looks like the most reliable estimate available.