Arsenal supporters have been buzzing about the possibility of adding Vinicius Jr to the squad this summer, but the club received a timely reminder on Saturday that Greek winger Christos Tzolis is already part of the team and ready to make an impact on the left flank. In his first appearance for the Gunners, a pre‑season friendly against Girona, Tzolis showed confidence by taking on his marker, cutting inside and directing a low shot that, after a slight deflection, found the bottom corner of the net. The goal was a clear signal that the new signing could become a fan favourite. Mikel Arteta praised the youngster, saying that his style and energy would delight Arsenal fans and that the strike in Catalonia was an encouraging early indicator of his potential contribution.
When asked whether he was concerned about the club still pursuing a high‑profile left‑winger to sit ahead of him, Tzolis gave a measured answer during a Sky Sports interview at the pre‑season camp in Spain. "I’m focused on my own development and on settling in as quickly as possible," he said. "I have the chance to train with the first team from day one, play the friendlies and then compete in official matches. It’s up to me to demonstrate my qualities and prove what I can bring to the side.
I’m confident I’ll do that in the coming games." The interview marked Tzolis' first media appearance since his £34 million transfer from Club Brugge, where he recorded 51 goal contributions in 52 outings last season. He comes across as straightforward, courteous and highly motivated to succeed at the Emirates. The Greek forward was in his native Thessaloniki when his agent informed him that the Premier League champions were interested.
Although other clubs tried to intervene, a series of conversations with Arteta convinced him that Arsenal was the right destination. Arteta believes Tzolis could become a cult figure at the club, much like the departing Leandro Trossard did, but the winger knows he must win over a skeptical fan base. "He doesn’t want me to change what I did at Brugge," Tzolis explained, referring to his talks with the manager.
"I just need to be myself, show my passion on the pitch and give everything. If I give 100 percent in every duel, who wouldn’t like that? That’s the best thing a footballer can do, and the supporters will reward it." When pressed about his key strengths, Tzolis highlighted three attributes: directness, creativity and work‑rate. Within the training camp he also earned praise for his physical condition.
He topped a demanding pre‑season fitness test that required sprinting 20, 40 and 60 metres repeatedly over a 1.4 km circuit, completing each distance five times without pause. His impressive performance earned him the nickname "Leonidas" from a fitness coach, a nod to the legendary Spartan king portrayed by Gerard Butler in the film *300*. "I’m not the only one who’s done the test," Tzolis said modestly. "Some players still have to complete it, but I’m currently first.
It was tough, but I had the advantage of already training with Brugge during the early weeks of pre‑season, so my fitness was already high. I arrived ready and was happy to confirm that here as well." The moniker fits for several reasons. Historically, Leonidas led a small Greek force against a massive Persian army, mirroring how Tzolis sees himself as a relatively unknown player stepping into a squad that aims to dominate a league dominated by giants. He also likens his playing style to former Barcelona and Spain striker David Villa, describing Villa as an inside forward who operated from the left and frequently found the back of the net.
"I’m not saying I’m at Villa’s level, but we share some traits. He wasn’t a traditional striker; he was a left‑pocket attacker who loved scoring, and I try to emulate that," Tzolis explained.
Another influence is former Arsenal winger Alexis Sánchez, who wore the number 17 shirt when he joined in 2014. Tzolis has adopted the same number, noting that he chose it partly because lower numbers were already taken and partly because he respects Sánchez’s achievements. "I grew up watching him, and I see some similarities in how we move," he said.
"It’s not the main reason I took 17, but it’s nice to follow in his footsteps." Arsenal are still chasing a historic milestone: defending the Premier League title, something no side has managed since Herbert Chapman’s team in the 1930s. Tzolis believes the intensity and professionalism he has witnessed in pre‑season are signs that the squad is prepared to fight for that elusive back‑to‑back crown. "From the gym to the training pitches, everyone is demanding the best from themselves.
The hunger I see in every drill tells me the players are ready to compete at the highest level," he said. "It’s not just about the league; we want to win every competition we enter.
The collective mindset is clear – we’re all on the same page to bring trophies home." Having experienced a title defence and a subsequent loss with Club Brugge two seasons ago, Tzolis has learned that the pressure of being champions often falls more heavily on the challengers than on the defending side. "To defend a title you don’t think about it too much," he reflected. "The pressure is on the opponents, not on the team that won it.
That perspective helps you stay focused on improving rather than fearing the expectations." Overall, Christos Tzolis arrives at Arsenal with a blend of confidence, humility and a strong work ethic. His early goal, fitness accolades and clear ambition to emulate players he admires suggest he could quickly become a valuable asset for Mikel Arteta’s side as they aim to write a new chapter in the club’s storied history.