Why Tzolis at Arsenal is the Premier League's worst nightmare

Updated: 23 Jul 2026 16:51 BST | 5 min read

Robin Bairner | Chief Editor

Accredited football journalist and editor covering the game since 2006

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Arsenal have announced the signing of Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge in a deal worth £34 million (€40m).

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Signed ostensibly as a replacement for Leandro Trossard, he represents a further evolution in Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal plans, with the Greece midfielder boasting a speciality that should have the Gunners’ Premier League rivals trembling.

The 24-year-old midfielder is coming off the back of a standout season in Belgium, in which he produced monster offensive numbers. Tzolis finished the campaign with 17 goals and 20 assists for Brugge, while he also netted three times for his country in their unsuccessful attempt to qualify for the World Cup.

Current ETV

Christos Tzolis

F, M, AM (L)

Brugge

Christos Tzolis

F, M, AM (L)

Brugge

ETV Range

€26.5M - €32.4M

He ticks numerous boxes that manager Mikel Arteta loves, not least his versatility, which can see him operate across the forward line.

Indeed, this was one of the main attributes that attracted the Gunners in the first place.

Sporting director Andrea Berta announced on the club’s website: “Christos is an extremely versatile attacking player who naturally operates on the left but is comfortable across the front line. He’s an excellent finisher with both feet, thrives in tight spaces, and possesses incredible technical ability.

“Christos has produced outstanding numbers in terms of goals and assists over the last three seasons, and he’s a player who will raise the technical level of our squad, while bringing positive energy, enthusiasm, and a strong mentality to our team.”

He is both quick and has boundless stamina, and he has a proven track record of being decisive.

But on top of all these obvious traits, Tzolis has a secret weapon that complements and enhances one of Arsenal’s super strengths.

Tzolis is a set-piece master

When the Gunners won the Premier League title last season, they were noted for their ability from set pieces.

Arteta’s side were well drilled in this regard and scored 29 of their 71 league goals from deadball situations - three more than any other team.

It was an outcome a decade in the making, with the Spaniard claiming that he has long believed these opportunities have been underappreciated and overlooked.

Speaking in October 2025, he said: “I realised that ten years ago. I wasn't here but 10 years ago, but I said: 'It is a massive thing to do that' and I started to have a vision, try to implement a method and try to be surrounded by the best people to deliver that.”

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. pic.twitter.com/VGjr1Je1Ae
— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) July 17, 2026

And do it he has. According to Opta, Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka were their top creative talents from these areas in the league last term. Together, they combined for 39 chances created, with Rice delivered 27 and Saka hitting 12.

By contrast, Tzolis alone for Brugge fashioned an astonishing 52 opportunities.

His status as a set-piece master confirmed, the attraction of the attacking midfielder to this version of Arsenal is clear. These opportunities have been central to the Gunners’ identity in recent seasons, and in the Greek, Arteta seems to have found the ideal player to carry out his long-held vision.