Arsenal's attacking depth is under scrutiny after Kai Havertz and Christos Tzolis both picked up hamstring injuries during the international break, renewing criticism of the club's summer transfer business.
Havertz returned to Arsenal early after sustaining the injury in the first of two Germany matches he was set to play. He is now being treated by the club's medical staff, with the expectation that he will not face a lengthy spell on the sidelines—any absence is likely to last weeks rather than months.
Tzolis underwent scans on Friday after coming off early in the first half against the Netherlands the previous night. Reports in Greece suggest he will be out for up to three weeks, though the injury is not believed to be severe.
False alarms and fitness concerns
The international break has not been entirely negative for Arsenal. Declan Rice pulled out of the England squad due to load management rather than injury, and Martin Odegaard, who limped out of a stadium in Oslo with an ankle problem, made a swift recovery and played 90 minutes for Norway against Wales on Thursday.
Ezri Konsa also missed England training earlier this week with a minor problem but made the squad against the Czech Republic and is in contention to start against Croatia on Saturday.
However, the injuries to Tzolis and Havertz have drawn attention back to Arsenal's transfer activity over the summer. The club went into the window wanting to make a statement signing in attack, particularly on the left wing. Tzolis was brought in to replace Leandro Trossard, but it was always intended that a marquee addition would be made alongside him.
Transfer gamble under the spotlight
That marquee signing never materialised. Vinicius Jr and Julian Alvarez proved overly ambitious targets, and other options were considered but deemed lacking in value or quality. Arsenal still sanctioned the record sale of Gabriel Martinelli and loaned Ethan Nwaneri to Borussia Dortmund, weakening the attack—the one area of concern last season.
While Arsenal have built a squad equipped for all scenarios in defence and midfield, the same precautions have not been taken in attack. The approach has been to hope that Odegaard, Bukayo Saka and Havertz stay fit, which has worked so far with all three starting every Premier League game this season.
That is not sustainable, and it is not a case of hindsight being king. Arsenal have had big players injured for significant periods across the past four seasons, and Havertz missed huge chunks of last season and the one before that.
Eze and Gyokeres must step up
Eberechi Eze is now set for a run on the left wing and a true test of whether he can consistently be a reliable option out wide for Arsenal. Noni Madueke can also be used on the left and would provide pace, but he is also the back-up for Saka on the right.
The need to use Eze out wide means Mikel Merino has deputised centrally for Odegaard when required, but the Spaniard might also be needed up front with Havertz out.
These are not yet major problems for Arsenal, but two injuries have already left things looking very stretched. The accusation that the summer transfer window was a misstep will only grow, and it is now on Eze and Gyokeres to provide the case for the defence.
