Christos Tzolis has made a productive start to life at Arsenal, even if Wednesday’s defeat by Real Betis gave Mikel Arteta little else to enjoy.
The Greece international supplied the corner for Piero Hincapie’s goal in the 3-1 defeat in Dublin. It continued a pre-season in which Tzolis has already contributed against MK Dons and Girona.
That early output should encourage Arsenal. The £34million signing was brought in to add goals and creativity from the left, but his set-piece delivery could give Arteta another useful option as well.
Christos Tzolis has made quick Arsenal impact
Tzolis arrived from Club Brugge after two prolific seasons in Belgium.
He scored 17 goals and supplied 23 assists in 36 league appearances last season, numbers which led the Premier League’s Opta analysis to describe him as an attacking “output machine”.
Premier League analysis of what Christos Tzolis brings to Arsenal
Arsenal have already seen signs of that productivity.
Tzolis assisted on his unofficial debut against MK Dons before scoring against Girona. His corner for Hincapie against Betis means he has now contributed in each of his first three pre-season appearances.
ReadArsenal highlighted Tzolis’ immediate impact after his first appearance against MK Dons, when his movement and final ball gave Arteta an early indication of how he could fit on the left.
Wednesday offered another clue.
Arsenal struggled to create consistently from open play, but Tzolis’ delivery produced their goal when Hincapie attacked his corner. It was a simple moment, but an important one for a side which already places considerable value on dead-ball situations.
Tzolis can ease pressure on Arsenal’s usual takers
Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard have all taken responsibility from set pieces.
Having Tzolis available gives Arteta another left-footed and right-footed delivery option depending on where the ball is placed and which players are on the pitch.
That does not mean his role will be built around corners.
Tzolis was signed because of what he offers in open play. He can attack defenders from the left, move inside to shoot and provide the kind of direct goal threat Arsenal wanted after Leandro Trossard’s departure. Arsenal paid £34m for the 24-year-old after he helped Club Brugge win the Belgian title.
ReadArsenal also covered Tzolis’ comments about the similarities he sees between his game and Alexis Sanchez. The comparison is a sizeable one, but his first weeks have at least shown why Arsenal wanted another forward prepared to take responsibility in the final third.
Gabriel Martinelli will provide strong competition once fully fit.
Tzolis has not won that battle in three friendlies. He has, however, made sure Arteta already has a genuine decision to make.
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