The 24-year-old was substituted after just 18 minutes. He is now a major doubt for the Gunners when they take on Leeds United in the Premier League on October 10.

The Greek will be assessed on his return to the Gunners, but it seems unlikely he will be deemed fit for the Premier League clash against Leeds at the Emirates Stadium.

This could pave the way for Eberechi Eze’s first league start of the season. He has played second fiddle to Tzolis on the left wing during the early part of the top-flight campaign.

The Englishman operated as an attacking midfielder in his debut season, but has been utilised on the left flank this term after the exits of Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli.

Eze’s starts in the Champions League and Carabao Cup have come from the left side of the attack, which is a clear indication that manager Mikel Arteta views him as a proper solution for the role.

Earlier last month, Arteta said that the 28-year-old is ‘very comfortable‘ playing as a left winger and highlighted that the biggest moments of his career have come from there.

Eze has yet to make a goal contribution in the league this season, but he made a big difference as a half-time substitute at Aston Villa, providing a key pass for Riccardo Calafiori, who put the ball on the plate for Bukayo Saka’s winning goal.

He is obviously a different player to Tzolis, who has the knack of delivering early passes into the box from out wide. Eze prefers to cut inside like a left-sided number 10 and looks poised to start on the left wing against Leeds after Tzolis’ setback.

Tzolis is the latest player to be sidelined for Arsenal after Kai Havertz, who also suffered a hamstring injury on Germany duty. The striker sustained the issue in the first game of the Nations League campaign and faces a race against time to be fit.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com

The post Big chance: 28yo Arsenal star poised to start vs Leeds United after another injury blow first appeared on ArsenalNews.co.uk.

The 27-year-old picked up a knock to his ankle against Portugal last week after a reckless challenge from Bernardo Silva.

However, he recovered in time to face Wales in the Nations League and made an immediate impact away from home.

Odegaard provided a superb through ball for Oscar Bobb to open the scoring in the 11th minute.

Daniel James managed to put Wales ahead before the interval. Things got worse for Norway after the restart.

Torbjorn Heggem received a straight red card for denying James a clear-cut scoring opportunity.

Goalkeeper Orjan Nyland, who should have cleared his lines to avoid the sending-off, conceded from the resultant free-kick with another error.

Despite the 2-1 loss, Odegaard had a top-notch outing, and popular Norwegian outlet Dagbladet gave the highest rating of 6/10.

The publication said that Odegaard made a ‘sensational start’ with his assist and was Norway’s ‘best player’ after the injury scare.

They wrote: “He made a sensational start to the match with an assist for Bobb. Who said ankle injury? All in all, he was Norway’s best player.”

Aside from his assist, Odegaard registered 116 touches against Wales with 94 successful passes. He had a passing accuracy of 88 percent.

He won 100 percent of his duels (4/4) with three recoveries, and was undoubtedly the best player on the pitch for Norway over 90 minutes.

Norway have another tough away trip to Portugal in the Nations League match before the extended international break finally concludes.

Odegaard, signed by Arsenal for £30 million in 2021, has started every game in the ongoing competition, and we expect him to start against Portugal on the road on Sunday.

Arsenal will hope their influential playmaker returns unscathed, given that Kai Havertz and Christos Tzolis have already suffered hamstring injuries.

Stats from Sofascore.com

The post 'Best player': National media praise £30m Arsenal star who won 100% duels on Int'l duty first appeared on ArsenalNews.co.uk.

The 24-year-old has been a superb acquisition for the Gunners since his £34 million move from Club Brugge this summer, and he has already registered four assists across all competitions.

Tzolis has also impressed for Greece in the Nations League with a goal against Serbia, but his availability is currently in serious doubt after an untimely injury against the Netherlands at home.

The left-sided winger pulled up with a hamstring issue against the Dutch earlier tonight, and he was subsequently replaced in the 18th minute, which should be a huge cause for concern.

Arsenal have already suffered a big setback with Kai Havertz sustaining up a hamstring injury.

Martin Odegaard also picked up a knock to his ankle against Portugal last week, but the Norway international has recovered in time to start against Wales away from home.

Tzolis’ early substitution for a hamstring concern should worry the Gunners, particularly with just an eight-day gap before the next Premier League match against Leeds United at home.

The Greek has been an undisputed starter on the left wing in the league thus far this term. His absence would mean Arsenal may need to experiment with a makeshift solution after the international break.

Manager Mikel Arteta previously said that Eberechi Eze is very comfortable operating as a left winger, and Tzolis’ absence could pave the way for the Englishman to make his first league start this campaign.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com

The post Big blow for Arsenal with £34m star substituted with suspected hamstring injury first appeared on ArsenalNews.co.uk.

Arsenal ended their 22-year wait for the title last season after Manchester City dropped points at Bournemouth in May, securing Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta’s first league championship.

The Gunners have subsequently made a strong start to their defence and sit second in the Premier League after their opening five matches.

Manchester City are three points ahead after winning all five of their games, leaving another potential battle between the two clubs developing at the top of the table.

However, Terry believes Arsenal remain best placed to finish above his former club Chelsea and retain their crown.

Speaking alongside former Arsenal winger Theo Walcott on TikTok, Terry was asked which of their former teams would finish higher this season.

“Unfortunately, it will be Arsenal,” Terry said. 

“We’re still a couple of years from competing for a title.

“Arsenal have the chance to dominate the Premier League.”

Terry’s assessment represents notable praise from one of the most decorated players in Chelsea’s history and comes after Arsenal finally converted several years of title challenges into silverware last season.

Arteta’s team had finished second in three successive campaigns before eventually overcoming City during 2025/26.

Their championship was built around another formidable defensive record, with Arsenal having progressively developed one of Europe’s deepest squads.

They strengthened again during the summer as Arteta sought to ensure last season’s success represented the beginning rather than the culmination of the project.

Arsenal also defeated City 3-0 in the Community Shield before beginning their league campaign, although Enzo Maresca’s side have responded by making a perfect Premier League start.

City’s opening five victories have altered the early picture, but Arsenal remain firmly among the leading contenders despite suffering their first league defeat against Brighton immediately before the international break.

Terry nevertheless believes the foundations are already in place for Arsenal to extend their success beyond one championship.

Coming from a five-time Premier League winner who captained Chelsea through their own dominant periods, his assessment provides another indication of how perceptions of Arteta’s Arsenal have changed.

The challenge now is turning Terry’s prediction into successive titles, something Arsenal have not achieved since Arsene Wenger’s side won the league in 2001/02 and 2003/04.

The post Five-time Premier League winner says Arsenal now have chance to ‘dominate’ first appeared on ArsenalNews.co.uk.

Odegaard had been a doubt for the Nations League encounter in Cardiff after suffering an ankle problem during Sunday’s 2-1 defeat to Portugal.

The Arsenal captain was caught by a late challenge from former Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva and was subsequently seen limping after the match.

Odegaard missed Norway training on Tuesday as medical staff continued to assess the problem, prompting concerns over whether he would remain with the national team.

However, scans subsequently revealed no significant damage and the 27-year-old returned to the training pitch in Cardiff on Wednesday.

The latest indication of his progress arrived on Thursday morning, when UEFA’s squad list confirmed Odegaard among the 23 Norway players available to face Wales.

Kristian Thorstvedt and Sondre Langås were instead omitted from Stale Solbakken’s matchday selection after Norway travelled with 25 players.

Odegaard’s inclusion does not necessarily mean he will start, with Solbakken having remained cautious when discussing his captain’s condition on Wednesday.

“I wish I could say yes, but I can’t,” the Norway manager said when asked whether Odegaard would be fit enough to play. “I can’t say no either.”

Solbakken explained that Odegaard needed to determine whether his ankle allowed him to perform effectively before a final decision was made.

The fact he has now made the squad represents a significant improvement from Tuesday, when he was unable to participate in training.

Arsenal have also remained in regular contact with Norway’s medical staff throughout the week as they monitor the midfielder’s recovery.

Odegaard has been an important figure for Arsenal during their strong start to the season, making another injury particularly unwelcome for Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta.

The Gunners have already seen Kai Havertz return early from Germany duty with a muscle problem, while Declan Rice withdrew from the England squad for load management.

Arsenal do at least have additional recovery time before returning to Premier League action against Leeds United on October 10.

Norway face Portugal again on Sunday after their trip to Cardiff, meaning Odegaard could still accumulate significant minutes before returning to north London.

His inclusion against Wales nevertheless provides Arsenal with the clearest indication yet that the ankle problem is not expected to result in a prolonged absence.

The post Arsenal get fresh injury update as key midfielder makes matchday squad first appeared on ArsenalNews.co.uk.

The France international has been sidelined since aggravating the injury during his country’s World Cup semi-final defeat to Spain on July 14.

According to L’Equipe, Saliba has now resumed individual work on the grass and is targeting a return to competitive action at the beginning of November.

The 25-year-old has been working through a carefully managed rehabilitation programme after Arsenal and the player decided against surgery during the summer.

Saliba had experienced back discomfort for several months before the World Cup and was already being carefully managed towards the end of Arsenal’s title-winning 2025/26 campaign.

The problem intensified during the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain before continuing to trouble him while representing France at the World Cup.

Saliba nevertheless played through the discomfort until the semi-final against Spain, when he was forced off after just 28 minutes.

Arsenal subsequently conducted extensive assessments and announced in July that surgery was not recommended, with the centre-back instead beginning a prolonged period of treatment and rehabilitation.

His return to the grass therefore represents an important milestone, although Arsenal are unlikely to rush one of their most important defenders back into first-team action.

Saliba has not played competitively for the Gunners since last season and will need to rebuild his fitness before Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta can consider him for selection.

There had recently been suggestions that the Frenchman might not return until December, making the latest indication of an early-November comeback particularly encouraging.

Saliba’s absence has forced Arsenal to rely on their considerable defensive depth during the opening months of their Premier League title defence.

Arteta has also had to contend with fitness issues involving Jurrien Timber and Cristhian Mosquera, while summer arrival Ezri Konsa has quickly become an important option in central defence.

The international break provides Arsenal with valuable time to continue Saliba’s rehabilitation without the pressure of preparing him for an immediate fixture.

France have also left the defender out of their latest squad, allowing his recovery to remain under Arsenal’s supervision.

There is still no firm date for Saliba’s return, and his progress will depend on how his back responds as his workload increases.

However, getting back onto the training pitch represents his clearest step towards competitive football since suffering the setback in July.

The post Arsenal handed encouraging William Saliba update after months on sidelines first appeared on ArsenalNews.co.uk.

Odegaard joined his international teammates at Cardiff City Stadium on Wednesday after sitting out the previous day’s session because of an ankle problem.

The 27-year-old sustained the injury following a late challenge from Bernardo Silva during Norway’s 2-1 Nations League defeat to Portugal on Sunday.

His return to the pitch represents another encouraging development for Arsenal, although Solbakken refused to guarantee that his captain would be available against Wales.

“I wish I could say yes, but I can’t,” Solbakken said when asked whether Odegaard would play. “I can’t say no either.

“He will test himself a little today. If he had been unavailable, he obviously wouldn’t have been here.”

Norway travelled to Cardiff with Odegaard on Wednesday, with the midfielder appearing to walk without obvious discomfort when the squad arrived at the stadium.

Defender Kristoffer Ajer also confirmed before training that Odegaard would take part in the session and expressed hope that he would recover sufficiently to feature.

The latest development follows reassuring results from tests carried out earlier this week.

Norway assistant coach Brede Hangeland revealed that team doctor Ola Sand had examined Odegaard’s ankle and found no significant damage, while the player was also experiencing less pain.

Arsenal and Norway have remained in regular communication over his condition, with Solbakken previously explaining that the Gunners receive information about their captain’s workload and recovery.

Odegaard’s fitness has become particularly important for Arsenal during an international break which has already produced other injury concerns.

Kai Havertz returned from Germany duty with a hamstring problem, while Declan Rice withdrew from the England squad for load management.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta will therefore hope Norway take no unnecessary risks with Odegaard ahead of the resumption of the Premier League campaign.

The Gunners return to action against Leeds United at the Emirates Stadium on October 10.

Solbakken nevertheless has another major fixture to consider after Wales, with Norway travelling to face Portugal on Sunday in their final match of the international period.

The Norway boss confirmed he has alternative midfield combinations prepared if Odegaard cannot face Wales, having previously adapted his team during periods without the Arsenal captain.

For now, Odegaard’s return to training is positive news, but his availability on Thursday remains dependent on how his ankle responds.

The post Arsenal handed latest injury news as key player travels for international clash first appeared on ArsenalNews.co.uk.

The Gunners explored the possibility of landing a new centre-back after William Saliba’s back injury, and Quansah was one of the top names on their radar.

The Englishman was open to returning to the Premier League, but Leverkusen made it clear he was not for sale despite an approach from the Gunners, as per Sport BILD.

Arsenal offered a package worth £56m for the Liverpool graduate, but it was not sufficient to persuade the Bundesliga outfit to sell the 23-year-old in August.

The Gunners are still in contention to recruit the defender, but could face fresh competition from Real Madrid and Chelsea next summer, Sport BILD report.

Furthermore, Liverpool have a bigger advantage. The Reds have the option to buy Quansah back for £60 million before the 15th of June, or he could be sold elsewhere.

Arsenal may not renew Quansah interest

The Englishman is primarily a central defender but can also operate as a right-back. His versatility was a prime attraction factor for the Gunners during the last transfer window.

Arsenal previously signed Piero Hincapie on loan from Leverkusen with a conditional obligation to buy this summer, but the German club refused to do business this time around.

The club went on to recruit Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa for £55m, and we don’t believe the Gunners will make a renewed approach for Quansah when the current season concludes.

Arsenal may want a specialist right-back next summer if they sell Ben White.

Newcastle United’s Tino Livramento has been a top target for a while. He could re-emerge as a solution if he can stay unscathed once he returns from his latest knee injury.

The ship has probably sailed for Quansah to move to the Gunners.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com

The post Arsenal offered £56m to sign 23yo England star, fancied to return for him first appeared on ArsenalNews.co.uk.

The north London side beat HB Koge in their first game before losing to Chelsea in the Women’s Super League last weekend.

Arsenal dominated possession from the outset, but Paris looked more likely to open the scoring.

The French side came close to breaking the deadlock in the 22nd minute, when Misa Rodriguez produced a brilliant save to keep out Aurelie Reynders’ effort.

Arsenal eventually threatened after the half-hour mark, with Alessia Russo heading Lisa Baum’s corner narrowly wide.

Russo put the visitors ahead in the 41st minute, curling a lovely finish past the goalkeeper, registering her first goal of the season.

Paris came close to an equaliser before the break. Clara Mateo played Evelyne Viens through, but the striker smashed her shot against the crossbar.

Five minutes into the second half, Georgia Stanway doubled the Gunners’ lead, firing into the roof of the net for her first goal of the campaign.

Clara Mateo pulled one back for Paris following a swift counter-attack, rounding Rodriguez before finding the net.

Substitute Olivia Smith missed the chance to restore Arsenal’s two-goal cushion, directing a header over the crossbar.

Three minutes from time, Paris were awarded a penalty after Leah Williamson committed a handball. Maeline Mendy stepped up to convert, drilling her spot-kick into the bottom corner.

Renee Slegers’ side host Benfica next month, before back-to-back meetings with Barcelona and Lyon, last year’s finalists, in November.

The post Arsenal Women throw away two-goal lead in dramatic Champions League draw first appeared on ArsenalNews.co.uk.

The Gunners captain was hurt following a late challenge from Bernardo Silva during Norway’s 2-1 Nations League defeat to Portugal on Sunday.

Odegaard was left in significant pain following the incident and was subsequently seen limping as he left the Ullevaal Stadion, raising concerns over his availability for Arsenal.

However, Norway assistant coach Brede Hangeland has now revealed that examinations carried out by national team doctor Ola Sand found nothing particularly concerning.

“Ola Sand has that under control,” Hangeland said. “As far as I understood, there was nothing dramatic in those images.

“The most important thing is that the guy is feeling better. The images show a snapshot, while he’s still recovering. And the progress is positive.”

The development represents a significant boost for Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, although Odegaard has not yet been declared fully fit.

The 27-year-old missed Norway’s group training session on Tuesday as he continued to recover from the problem.

Hangeland said earlier in the day that Odegaard was already experiencing less pain and remained in contention to face Wales in Cardiff on Thursday.

Norway are therefore prepared to give their captain time before deciding whether he can feature, with another Nations League fixture against Portugal to follow on Sunday.

Manager Stale Solbakken has also confirmed that Norway’s medical department is communicating with Arsenal over Odegaard’s condition and workload.

The midfielder initially expressed hope that the injury would settle within a few days after the Portugal defeat, despite strongly criticising Silva’s challenge.

Arsenal will be particularly keen to avoid another significant injury during the international period after Kai Havertz returned to London with a muscle problem sustained while representing Germany.

Havertz underwent scans after being forced off against the Netherlands, with Germany confirming his withdrawal from their squad.

Odegaard’s positive scan therefore eases some of the concern surrounding Arteta’s squad ahead of the return of domestic football.

The midfielder’s involvement against Wales remains uncertain, but the absence of major structural damage provides Arsenal with hope that the latest setback will prove short-lived.

The post Scans reveal extent of Arsenal star’s injury after international scare first appeared on ArsenalNews.co.uk.