Arsenal may have found an unexpected solution to one of their biggest attacking questions, with Christos Tzolis form turning heads and forcing the club to rethink what they need on the left wing ahead of the new season.
That has been reflected in his performances so far, as the new winger for Arsenal has hit the ground running for the Gunners and is now arguably their most in-form winger heading into the new season, a surprising development considering the quality of the Gunners’ attacking options.
His impressive start has also changed the expectations around his role, as a player expected to come in as a backup seems to be exceeding those initial assumptions, and his form appears to be changing Arsenal transfer plans, particularly for the left-wing position.
The early signs therefore make Christos Tzolis form more than just an encouraging start to life at Arsenal. If he can maintain this level, his performances could have a direct influence on the club’s plans for the left-wing position and whether another signing is still necessary.
Christos Tzolis Form Has Changed the Conversation
Christos Tzolis form has changed the conversation around his arrival, with the Greek winger quickly becoming one of the standout new players in the squad.
Initially, Arsenal transfer plans for the summer included buying an experienced left winger, with Tzolis expected to provide backup. However, after they could not proceed with the signing of Vinicius Junior from Real Madrid following his contract renewal, talks of moving on to another target have stalled because of the Greek winger’s impressive form.
Having been signed for £34 million from Club Brugge as a left-sided option to replace Leandro Trossard, the expectation was that he would compete for minutes rather than immediately claim a starting role.
Instead, he has overturned that narrative with his stunning form, which includes one goal and two assists in four preseason matches, along with two crucial assists in the Community Shield final against Manchester City in Arsenal’s comfortable 3-0 victory.
Those performances have changed how his arrival is being viewed, as his composure, creativity in the final third, and natural fit into Arteta’s system have elevated him from simply providing squad depth into a genuine contender to start as a left winger.
As a result, Christos Tzolis form has reduced the urgency for another high-profile left-wing signing before the window closes. If his performances continue, he could prove to be a relatively low-fee investment with a high return of outstanding performances.
The Qualities That Make Tzolis Different
That growing importance is largely down to the qualities Tzolis has displayed since arriving, with his form highlighting what makes him unique and different from other wingers of his age.
One of his biggest strengths is his clinical finishing ability with either foot, which gives him greater unpredictability and more finishing options in the final third.
That two-footedness is complemented by his composure in dangerous areas, with excellent decision-making and calmness whether picking out a teammate through on goal or finishing chances himself.
Beyond finishing, he also has a strong ability to drive the ball, take on defenders, and progress play into the final third rather than simply holding width.
His intelligent movement and off-ball runs at age 24 are also impressive, as he shows excellent timing with his runs and an ability to take defenders out of position to create space for himself and other attackers.
Those movements are further enhanced by his ability to combine progressive actions with precise final passes and cutbacks, making him a genuine creator as well as a threat in front of goal.
Set-piece delivery also remains one of his attributes, with strong deliveries from corners and free kicks bringing a valuable addition to an Arsenal side that emphasises set-piece threats.
Just as importantly, he offers a strong work rate and defensive contributions, with the ability to track back, press, and contribute out of possession, which fits perfectly with Mikel Arteta’s high-intensity requirements.
Can Tzolis Become Arteta’s First-Choice Left Winger?
With so many qualities already on display, Tzolis’ current form has undoubtedly placed him as a genuine contender to become the first-choice left winger, but questions remain over his long-term suitability as a starter in that role.
Christos Tzolis playing style allows him to fit naturally as a left-sided attacker who can hold width or invert, which aligns with Arteta’s fluid frontline patterns.
Even so, he faces competition from Gabriel Martinelli for the starting left-wing role, with the Brazilian’s experience and pace making him a strong candidate, while Tzolis tends to offer more goal-contribution attributes.
At the same time, his ability to stretch the play when needed or drift into half spaces, helping open lanes for overlapping fullbacks and late-arriving midfielders, makes him an increasingly valuable option.
This is where Christos Tzolis playing style could give Arsenal something different, as his progressive carries and aggressive runs in behind add greater verticality and variety to their usually more controlled left-sided play.
His chance-creation prowess and two-footedness also pair well with Bukayo Saka’s right-sided threat and the central presence of Viktor Gyokeres and Kai Havertz.
Therefore, Christos Tzolis form, combined with his strong Community Shield and preseason displays, has made him a serious contender for regular starts. However, he still needs to improve in some areas to fully establish himself as the undisputed choice.
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The Question Tzolis Still Needs to Answer
That uncertainty comes from the fact that a starting winger in Arteta’s system must bring a complete profile, and Tzolis still has some fundamentals to work on despite his early strong showing.
His dribbling ability against compact defensive structures remains under scrutiny, with questions lingering over how effective he can be at beating multiple defenders when the pitch is congested and there is limited space.
Although his explosive acceleration is particularly dangerous when running into space, his success rate in tight one-on-one situations from a static position remains under assessment.
This is important because Christos Tzolis playing style makes him thrive when attacking open space on the counter, but progressing and creating against low blocks requires another skill set that he still needs to develop.
Arsenal’s side has often faced packed and congested defenses, meaning Tzolis will need to show that he can influence games when space is limited rather than abundant.
Once Premier League teams understand Christos Tzolis playing style, they may sit deeper and double up to neutralize his strongest attributes, forcing him to find different ways to create an impact.
He must therefore improve his one-on-one game and develop more variations in his feints, body positioning, and use of both feet in tight areas.
While his attributes are exceptional, improving these abilities will make him not only a stronger starter but also raise his standards toward those of a high-profile winger, while in turn contributing heavily to Arsenal’s pursuit of Premier League title defence and UEFA Champions League success.
Arsenal Still Have a Big Decision to Make
Ultimately, Christos Tzolis form has given Arsenal a quality option on the left wing who fits naturally into Arteta’s system and possesses many of the attributes required from a modern winger.
His performances have changed the conversation around the position, particularly after Arsenal’s pursuit of another high-profile left winger became uncertain. What initially looked like a position that required another major signing could now have a ready-made solution within the squad.
However, the Gunners must decide whether his early form is enough to trust him with a starting role or whether another elite winger is still needed to strengthen their options.
That decision could prove significant for Arsenal’s season, because if Tzolis continues developing and addresses the weaknesses in his one-on-one game, the Greek winger could turn an unexpected opportunity into a starting role and give Arteta another important attacking weapon for the Premier League and Champions League.
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