Mikel Arteta may have already told us who is replacing Christos Tzolis after international injury
Arsenal aren’t having the best of luck during this international break.
Any club side just wants to come through these periods unscathed – no injuries, no problems. However, it seems that Arsenal haven’t been so lucky this time around.
Kai Havertz went down injured for Germany last week, and now Christos Tzolis has seemingly picked up a problem while playing for Greece.
Tzolis may not be Arsenal’s best player, but this is a bit of a nightmare scenario for the Gunners.
After selling Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli over the summer, Arsenal are seriously lacking depth down the left wing, but there is another option that Mikel Arteta has previously told us about.
Noni Madueke could be the left wing answer for Arsenal
Arsenal don’t currently have a fit, recognised left winger after Tzolis’ injury, but it has been mooted in the past that Noni Madueke could fill this role.
Mikel Arteta has previously said himself that Madueke can play on the left side.
“I am very pleased with him since the day that he came with his attitude and what he has brought to the team,” said Arteta via The Standard.
“He has brought another type of threat with his capacity to play on the right and the left. And his skillset is different to what we had and we saw that again on Wednesday.”
Madueke himself has also said that he can play on the left and the right, explaining that his versatility is one of his main strengths, via the BBC.
“Different people and different coaches have different opinions. The fact that I’m versatile helps me a little bit.
“I can play on the left and the right. I’ll reiterate again – I’ll play wherever the coach needs me to play and I’ll try to do my best.”
Madueke has played as a left winger a few times in his career, and his stats while playing that role don’t make for great reading.
Three goals in 17 games isn’t a good return for an attacker, and Arsenal will need more from him if he is going to play this position in the coming weeks.