According to Football.London, Arsenal winger Alexios Tsolis suffered an Achilles injury during Greece's 2-2 draw with the Netherlands in the Nations League and is returning to London.

Greek national team coach Ivan Jovanovic revealed that before substituting Tsolis due to injury, the Arsenal winger told him he would not leave the pitch.

Just minutes after his opening goal was ruled out for offside, the 24-year-old suddenly stopped, feeling tightness in his right Achilles tendon.

Nevertheless, Tsolis wanted to continue playing. Initially he went to the sideline holding his head but still tried to keep going.

Jovanovic then made the decision to substitute him to protect the player's condition.

The player who joined Arsenal from Club Brugge this summer for £34 million will undergo assessment at home today before returning to Arsenal to begin his recovery.

This means Tsolis will miss Greece's Nations League B group match against Germany on Sunday. Last weekend, he provided the decisive assist for Koulumpellis's goal in the 74th minute, helping the team beat Klopp's side in Augsburg.

When asked about the controversial substitution at the press conference, Jovanovic said: "What should I do? Tell me, please. I'm his coach, I told him to get off the pitch, but he said: 'I'm not getting off.'"

"What should I do? So I see this as a characteristic of Greeks, and also of the kids who come to play for the national team, regardless of their age. I think everyone present saw this happening, and those closer could see it very clearly."

"I forced him off because I suspected that if he didn't feel anything, he wouldn't act that way. Today we still don't know the severity of the injury, but I hope it's just a cramp, just temporary."

"Honestly, I had no other choice, because this is not the World Cup qualifier, this is the Nations League. First and foremost, I have to protect the player."

"He didn't want to stop next to me and leave the pitch; instead, he ran to defend a corner kick. Only after that did he leave. That's our player."

After the match, Tsolis signed autographs for Greek fans outside the stadium and exchanged shirts, took photos with his Arsenal teammate Timber.

Jovanovic also stated that the decision to substitute Tsolis was made after consulting the medical staff. He explained: "We have doctors, and the doctors are very good. When the doctors believe the issue is no longer suitable for the player to continue, we have to act."

"As the head coach, I first have to make the substitution decision, because it's a muscle issue, not an ankle or any other part of the body."

"When the issue is muscular, combined with the immediate information I received from the doctors, that's why I asked him to come off immediately."

Their relationship is considered very good, so although Tsolis was eager to continue playing, he will likely understand that Jovanovic was only acting to protect him.

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