Arsenal's Trossard replacement ends drought with Greece goal

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Christos Tzolis was on the scoresheet for Greece on Thursday night, netting the equaliser in a 2-1 comeback win over Serbia in the Nations League.

The Arsenal winger, who arrived at the Emirates in the last transfer window as a replacement for Leandro Trossard, levelled the scoring before his country completed the turnaround to take all three points.

It was a timely contribution. Tzolis had gone three consecutive matches for Arsenal without a goal or an assist heading into the international break, a quieter run following what had been an eye-catching start to his time in north London.

A fast start in north London

Tzolis has been used more than any other Arsenal option on that flank since his arrival, and the responsibility handed to him by the coaching staff has been reflected in his minutes. Replacing a player as reliable as Trossard was always going to invite scrutiny, and the Greece international has been handed the platform to answer it from the outset.

The three-game barren spell is worth keeping in perspective. Wingers rarely return numbers in every fixture, and Tzolis' overall output since the move had already established him as a central figure in the side rather than a squad rotation option.

Thursday's goal, as detailed in the match report from Neos Kosmos, came at a crucial moment for his country, dragging Greece level before they went on to win it.

More minutes to come this window

Tzolis is one of several Arsenal players away on international duty during the current window, and Greece still have further fixtures to play before the squads disperse. That gives the winger additional opportunities to add to his tally before returning to club training.

International breaks cut both ways for club sides. Extra minutes and travel carry a physical cost, and Arsenal have already had reason to monitor the situation during this window. But for a player looking to shake off a short run without a goal contribution, competitive minutes and a goal represent the kind of return that travels well back to the Emirates.

The broader picture is that Tzolis remains a key part of how Arsenal want to attack down that side. The trust shown in him since his arrival has been consistent, and his numbers before the recent three-game lull backed up that selection.

Attention now turns to Greece's remaining fixtures in the window, with Tzolis expected to feature again before reporting back to Arsenal ahead of the return to domestic action.