Mikel Arteta explains Arsenal selection shock as new injury scare revealed

Arteta praised his medical team for getting Tzolis fit to start after a month out with a hamstring injury; Eze also had an injury concern but made the squad.

Arsenal won 1-0 at Liverpool with Kai Havertz scoring early, ending a 12-year wait for a Premier League victory at Anfield. Mikel Arteta made a bold selection call by starting Christos Tzolis despite the winger not playing since suffering a hamstring injury on international duty with Greece a month ago. Tzolis impressed at Anfield, forcing Alisson into a save and creating chances, though Arteta eventually withdrew him to manage the risk. Arteta credited his medical and performance team for getting Tzolis ready, saying "every three days, to keep everybody at this level" is where the margins of winning are found. Eberechi Eze was only named on the bench due to his own injury concern but made the squad. The win came after Arsenal's embarrassing Carabao Cup exit to League Two side Fleetwood on penalties midweek, where they squandered 27 shots.