Arsenal’s summer buzz has been dominated by the question of whether Brazilian sensation Vinícius Júnior will join the club, but a recent performance reminded supporters that another new signing is already making his mark. Greek winger Christos Tzolis, who arrived from Club Brugge for a reported £34 million, debuted against Girona and immediately showcased his confidence. He surged past his marker, cut inside with purpose and, after a slight deflection, tucked the ball into the bottom corner. The goal, scored in Catalonia, was hailed by manager Mikel Arteta as a promising early indication of the kind of excitement Tzolis can bring to the Emirates Stadium.

When Sky Sports asked Tzolis during Arsenal’s pre‑season camp in Spain how he feels about the club still pursuing a high‑profile left‑winger, his answer was straightforward. “I’m focused on my own game,” he said.

“I’m not looking ahead to what the club might do in the transfer market. My priority is to settle quickly, train hard with the squad, play the friendlies and then earn my place in the competitive matches. I want to prove what I can contribute and I’m confident I’ll do that in the coming games.” This was the first time the 24‑year‑old spoke to the press since completing his move from Club Brugge, where he recorded an impressive 51 goal involvements in 52 appearances.

In the interview he came across as direct, courteous and fiercely determined to succeed at his new home. He recalled being 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 late Leandro Trossard, but acknowledges that the Greek forward will need to win over the fans.

Tzolis explained that Arteta hasn’t asked him to change his style from what he practiced at Brugge. “I just need to be myself, show my passion on the pitch and give everything,” he said.

“If I give 100 % in every duel, who wouldn’t like that? That’s what a footballer should do, and the supporters will respond in kind.” When pressed about his strengths, Tzolis highlighted three key attributes: directness, creativity and work‑rate.

Within the pre‑season camp he earned additional praise for his physical output. He topped a demanding 1.4 km fitness test that required sprinting 20 m, 40 m and 60 m intervals five times each, with a quick turnaround between runs. His performance earned him the nickname “Leonidas” from a fitness coach, a reference to the legendary Spartan king portrayed by Gerard Butler in the film *300*.

Tzolis explained the moniker with humility. “Not everyone has completed the test yet, but I’m currently first,” he said. “I had the advantage of already training with Brugge during the early pre‑season, so I arrived in top condition. I was ready to hit the ground running and I’m glad I could prove that here as well.” The nickname fits for another reason: Tzolis is essentially stepping into the role left vacant by Trossard, who departed for Beşiktaş earlier this summer.

Like the historic Leonidas, who led a small Greek force against a massive Persian army, Tzolis sees himself as part of a relatively modest group aiming to compete against Europe’s elite. The winger also spoke about his footballing idols.

He admires Barcelona legend David Villa, noting that both share a similar body type and an instinct for cutting inside from the wing to finish. “Villa wasn’t a traditional striker; he was an inside forward who loved to score,” Tzolis observed.

“I try to emulate that style – I’m not just a wide winger, I love to drift inside and attack the goal.” Another figure Tzolis mentioned was former Arsenal forward Alexis Sánchez, who wore the number 17 shirt when he joined the Gunners in 2014. Tzolis has taken the same number this season.

“I grew up watching Sánchez and respected his work ethic,” he said. “I chose 17 simply because the lower numbers were taken, but it’s nice to share that connection with a player I admired.” Arsenal, now defending Premier League champions for the first time since the 1930s under Herbert Chapman, are keen to retain their crown.

Tzolis believes the intensity he’s witnessed in pre‑season reflects a squad ready to fight for every trophy. “From the gym to the training ground, everyone is serious,” he remarked. “The players are hungry for every drill, and that shows the high standards we maintain. It’s not just about the league; we want to win every competition we enter.” Having experienced a title defence that fell short after moving to Club Brugge two seasons ago, Tzolis reflected on the lessons learned.

“When you’re the champions, the pressure is on the challengers, not on you,” he explained. “Defending a title means staying focused, working harder than the opponents, and not getting complacent.” His mindset, combined with his fitness credentials and willingness to adapt his game, suggests he could become a valuable asset for Arteta’s side as they aim to write a new chapter in Arsenal’s storied history.