Who is Christos Tzolis? Arsenal's New Left Wing and Set-Piece Specialist

After winning their first Premier League title since 2004 and reaching the Champions League final, Arsenal have started reinforcing their squad for the upcoming 2026/27 season. A key area of focus is the left wing, where Leandro Trossard played a crucial role but recently departed for Besiktas.

Trossard’s six goals and six assists in over 2,000 Premier League minutes last season were solid, yet Arsenal needed more consistent production, especially as Gabriel Martinelli also faced challenges delivering regular output. The club found a promising solution in Christos Tzolis, who joins the competition on the left side and could offer an upgrade.

Career Path of Christos Tzolis

At just 24, Christos Tzolis started his journey at PAOK in Thessaloniki, Greece, appearing 57 times before moving to Norwich City for around €11 million ($12.5 million). After a season with 30 appearances and three goals at Norwich, he was loaned to FC Twente in the Netherlands, then to Fortuna Düsseldorf in Germany.

The German stint proved transformative: Düsseldorf signed him permanently for about €3.5 million ($4 million), and he scored 24 goals in 37 matches. This form attracted Belgian powerhouse Club Brugge, who paid €6.5 million ($7.4 million) for him in summer 2024.

At Club Brugge, Tzolis flourished. Across two seasons, he totaled 108 appearances, netting 43 goals and assisting 45. His Champions League debut came there too, playing 21 games, scoring three times, and setting up four goals. Noteworthy moments include knockout-stage assists against Atalanta and Aston Villa, plus a goal versus Atletico Madrid.

Arsenal’s Investment in Tzolis

Arsenal reportedly paid around £34 million (€39.8 million/$45.7 million) for Tzolis, who committed to a five-year contract. The club envisions him as a direct successor to Trossard on the left wing.

Playing Style and Versatility

Tzolis primarily operates as a left winger but can adapt to striker roles, the No. 10 position, or shift to the right wing. He stands out for his set-piece expertise, creating 52 chances from corners and free kicks last season alone for Club Brugge. To put that in perspective, Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice, widely regarded as top Premier League set-piece creators, combined for only 39 chances from dead-ball situations.

Christos Tzolis created 52 chances from set plays for Club Brugge in the Belgian Pro League last season. By comparison, for Arsenal in the Premier League, Declan Rice created 27 and Bukayo Saka 12. — Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst)

Statistics Summary at Club Brugge

Being Greek, Tzolis’s name might be tricky for English speakers. His first name sounds closer to "KREES-tos" rather than "CHRIS-tos." The 'T' in his last name is silent, so it is pronounced "ZOH-lis."