According to a report by the Evening Standard on Sunday, November 1, 2026, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has shed light on why he decided to start Christos Tzolis against Liverpool, despite the forward having recently recovered from a hamstring injury.

The Spanish tactician showed confidence in the Greek attacker by handing him a place in the starting lineup for Sunday's crucial Premier League clash at Anfield.

Arsenal eventually secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Liverpool, recording their first Premier League win at Anfield since 2012. Kai Havertz scored the decisive goal in the first half, giving the Gunners a valuable advantage against the reigning champions.

However, Tzolis' inclusion from the beginning attracted considerable attention because he had been sidelined for approximately a month after suffering a hamstring problem while on international duty.

Despite his recent injury setback, Arteta believed the forward was ready to contribute. His decision appeared justified as Tzolis delivered an encouraging performance before being substituted.

The Arsenal attacker came close to scoring after forcing Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker to produce an excellent low save. He also provided a dangerous cross towards the far post that almost created another opportunity for the visitors.

Explaining his selection, Arteta revealed that Tzolis had demonstrated impressive fitness and energy during training. The manager also disclosed that Eberechi Eze had experienced an injury concern before the encounter, which influenced his decision-making.

Arteta reserved special praise for Arsenal's medical and performance departments, highlighting their efforts in preparing players for demanding fixtures, particularly during periods when matches come every three days.

He further explained that Tzolis wanted to continue playing until the final whistle. However, the coaching staff eventually decided to withdraw him after assessing his contribution and physical condition.

The Arsenal manager admitted that starting the forward involved some risk, considering how recently he had returned from injury, but he was pleased with what the player delivered against Liverpool.

Meanwhile, Eze's fitness situation explained why the England international was not included in the starting eleven. Although he was not ready to begin the match, his condition allowed him to take a place on the substitutes' bench.

Arsenal's victory was also significant because it came just days after their disappointing Carabao Cup elimination against League Two side Fleetwood Town.

The Gunners suffered a penalty shootout defeat after failing to take advantage of their numerous scoring opportunities. Arteta expressed his frustration with the result, pointing out that his team registered 27 attempts on goal, while Fleetwood managed only one shot on target.

Nevertheless, the Spaniard was satisfied with the response his players produced at Anfield. Arsenal showed improved discipline, determination and defensive organisation to secure an important victory.

The result provided a major confidence boost for the Gunners, while Arteta's latest comments have raised further attention over the fitness situations of Tzolis and Eze.