Arsenal have three players they need to come out of Friday the 13th unscathed

Arsenal fans, perhaps more than any other fanbase on the planet, spend the entire international break anxiously checking to find out which players will return to London Colney with injuries.

Friday the 13th is a date synonymous with misfortune, so we assess the three members of Mikel Arteta's squad in action this evening, and why Gooners everywhere need to keep their fingers crossed. Without spoiling anything, UEFA Nations League Group A2 is where one needs to focus their attention.

Kai Havertz - Germany

Over in Belgrade, Germany will be going in search of a much-needed win against Serbia. So far, Jürgen Klopp has won only one of his four matches in charge of die Nationalelf, this when Veljko Paunović's team visited Munich, hence why Germany must win at Stadion Rajko Mitić to stay in the hunt for a spot in the Nations League quarter-finals.

In terms of die Mannschaft's starting centre-forward, it is likely to be Kai Havertz. Neither Nick Woltemade nor Deniz Undav have been called up, while Niclas Füllkrug is the other option, back in the squad for the first time since June 2025. Havertz has netted 25 times for Germany, only 17 men have more, so will he add to his tally?

Christos Tzolis - Greece

Simultaneously, in the same group, there will be Arsenal interest on both sides of the clash at the Johan Cruijff Arena. Christos Tzolis sustained a hamstring injury during the reverse fixture in Thessaloniki on 1 October, thereby sitting out six Arsenal games, before making an unexpected return at Anfield.

Nevertheless, the winger is back with Ivan Jovanović's squad and will be a starting figure. Tzolis had featured in 22 successive internationals, prior to missing the last one injured, scoring his tenth goal for Greece in Belgrade in September. Competing in UEFA Nations League A for the first time, a win in Amsterdam would cement their quarter-final spot, and Tzolis will be key to their hopes.

Jurriën Timber - Netherlands

On the opposite site, expect Jurriën Timber to be starting for the Netherlands, even if we don't know where yet. When manager Xavi was asked about the defender's versatility earlier this week, this is what he had to say:

"Yes, he's an option as a left full-back, yes... he can play as a centre-back, full-back and even as a defensive midfielder. "

Xavi on Jurriën Timber

During the last window, only just back from injury, Timber started just one of the Oranje's four matches, deployed at centre-back away in Greece alongside Virgil van Dijk. With the Liverpool captain sidelined for this break, the Arsenal man will surely be an option for that role again.

Denzel Dumfries appears set to start in Timber's usual position of right-back, thereby directly up against Tzolis, hence why he is likely to deployed on the opposite side, with Tottenham duo Micky van de Ven and Jan Paul van Hecke in the middle. We shall see.

All three of Timber, Havertz and Tzolis have had their injury issues, so Arteta and fans alike will be praying they come through Friday's games unharmed.

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