Arsenal’s choice of a Christos Tzolis replacement should start with a question about width. If the Greece winger misses the Leeds United match, who will stretch the opposition on the left?
Eberechi Eze offers one solution. Noni Madueke deserves consideration for another: holding a wider starting position and giving Arsenal an outlet without requiring the left-back to advance every time.
Arseblog reported on Friday that Tzolis was returning to London after his injury against the Netherlands. His availability will determine whether this becomes an immediate selection decision.
Our preference, if both alternatives are available, would be to give Madueke the first opportunity against Leeds.
Madueke offers a different Christos Tzolis replacement
There is a relevant precedent. Madueke started on the left in Arsenal’s 5-0 victory over Leeds in August 2025.
That historical selection does not guarantee the same outcome now. It does establish that using him there would be a return to a previous role.
The instruction should be specific: stay wide during the early stages of possession, then attack when the pass arrives with space to move.
That would give Arsenal a target for switches of play. If the opposing right-back stays close to Madueke, there may be room for a teammate inside. If the defender narrows, Arsenal can look for the winger outside.
The benefit depends on moving the ball quickly enough to exploit that choice.
Eze would require a different arrangement
Eze could start from the left and move into central pockets, as discussed in our analysis of his partnership with Odegaard.
The attraction would be an additional player receiving between the lines. The cost would be finding somebody else to occupy the outside lane.
If Calafiori supplies that width, a midfielder must cover the space he leaves. Otherwise, a blocked pass towards Eze could immediately expose Arsenal’s left side.
This is why the decision extends beyond which attacker looks more creative. Eze and Madueke would ask different things of the players around them.
Arteta should choose the combination he wants, then assign the responsibilities.
The left-back cannot provide every solution
A winger who holds his width could allow Calafiori to choose his forward runs more carefully.
He could initially remain underneath the ball, offering a return pass and helping Arsenal recover possession if the attack breaks down. When Madueke draws a defender towards the touchline, Calafiori could then move inside him.
Those movements should be alternatives rather than simultaneous instructions.
If both players immediately attack the same outside space, Arsenal would have two teammates competing for one passing lane. If both move centrally, the opposition could defend a narrower area.
The objective should be a left side with several passing options, without sending everyone beyond the ball.
Judge the experiment by what it creates
Selecting Madueke would only be the beginning. Arsenal should assess whether the arrangement produces better attacks.
Can he receive before a second defender arrives? Does he get into positions to deliver towards the striker? Can Arsenal recover the ball without leaving their left-back isolated?
Our Gyokeres analysis ahead of Leeds examined the central attacking option. Whoever starts there needs service and supporting runs.
If Madueke remains isolated or repeatedly receives with no route forward, the surrounding movement needs changing.
Eze would remain a valuable alternative, particularly if Arsenal need more combination play around the penalty area.
For the starting plan, however, Madueke’s case is persuasive: preserve width, give the left-back choices and make the opposition defend the whole pitch.
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