Arteta: Tzolis makes instant impact as Guimaraes injury appears minor

Mikel Arteta expects Bruno Guimaraes to be out for no more than a short period after the Arsenal midfielder missed Friday’s 3-0 victory over Coventry City with a thigh injury.

Guimaraes was seen with an ice pack strapped to his right leg after being forced off during Arsenal’s Community Shield victory over Manchester City at the weekend. His absence kept him out as the Gunners began their defence of the Premier League title at Emirates Stadium.

Uncertainty surrounding the £75m summer signing from Newcastle United had led to suggestions that he could face a lengthy spell on the sidelines. However, Arteta dismissed those reports after Arsenal secured a comfortable victory through goals from Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka and Martin Ødegaard.

“We expect his absence not to extend for weeks at all,” said Arteta when asked about Guimaraes.

The Arsenal manager added: “Let’s see how his situation develops this week. He didn’t even want to stop; he wanted to continue. We are now beginning to understand the character of the player, but I do not expect it to be a big problem.”

Guimaraes had been withdrawn after the injury during the Community Shield, but Arteta’s assessment suggests Arsenal do not believe the problem will keep their major summer acquisition out for an extended period.

While providing that update, Arteta also praised another new arrival, Christos Tzolis, after the winger made a decisive impression on his first appearance at the club’s home ground.

Tzolis, who joined Arsenal from Club Brugge for £34m, won back possession to create the opening goal for Havertz. He then supplied the assist for Saka to score Arsenal’s second, producing an energetic display that earned him a warm reception from the home supporters when he was substituted in the 76th minute.

“I love that a player who has joined us only a few weeks ago has this type of energy every time he has the ball,” Arteta said. “I think he deserved it, and I believe the way he has performed in the last few matches has been amazing.”

The Spaniard added: “What he brings as a player is a very direct and consistently decisive performance. He wants to make things happen, and he has a great variety of solutions in the final 30 metres. I think it is up to him to make the right decisions, even when the spaces are extremely tight at times. I am very happy with what he is producing.”

Arsenal’s three-goal win gave Arteta an encouraging start against Coventry, who had also enjoyed a long period to prepare for the match.

“It was great because the start is always difficult,” said Arteta. “We played against a team that also had a long time to prepare, and they are very good at what they do, but I was really impressed by what I saw today.”