New Arsenal signing Christos Tzolis has declared “now it’s my time” as he embarks on his second spell in the Premier League, aiming to emulate his childhood hero Alexis Sanchez. The 24-year-old winger, who joined the Gunners in a £34 million transfer from Club Bruges last month, is determined to make his mark after a challenging period in England previously.
A Transformed Player Ready for the Premier League
Tzolis arrives at Arsenal with an impressive record from his time at Club Bruges, where he recorded an extraordinary 40 goal contributions (17 goals, 23 assists) in just 36 league appearances last season. This remarkable form stands in stark contrast to his previous experience in the Premier League with Norwich City five years ago. During his tenure at Norwich, he struggled to establish himself, leading to loan spells at FC Twente and Fortuna Dusseldorf before his successful move to Belgium.
Reflecting on his past difficulties, Tzolis explained the unique challenges faced by newly promoted teams in the top flight. “It was totally different than now,” he stated. “It’s always difficult for a team that is promoted from the second division to the Premier League to play high-level football. The team, I think, was not really ready for the Premier League, and that makes it also difficult for me to adapt and to play how I could.”
Despite the setbacks, Tzolis views his time at Norwich as a crucial learning experience. “You can have some setbacks and difficulties. I only learned a lot of things from this period at Norwich,” he commented. “I have three years in a row that I’m important for my teams, and I have a big role in an attacking part. And I feel now more ready to be in the Premier League.”
He feels a significant personal evolution has occurred. “I developed myself, I improved a lot. I’m not the same player I was at Norwich, 100 per cent,” Tzolis asserted. “I feel it also in my body and also in my mindset. Now it’s my time to show that I’m ready and capable of playing in the Premier League.”
Emulating an Arsenal Icon
Tzolis has already begun making a positive impression at his new club, scoring on his full debut against Girona less than two weeks after joining. The winger, who now wears the No. 17 shirt, previously donned by his idol Alexis Sanchez, sees parallels between himself and the former Arsenal star.
“Actually, I knew that he (Sanchez) was wearing the shirt of number 17,” Tzolis shared. “Of course, I watched a lot of football, and he was a top player for Arsenal, as a left winger always. He’s one of the players I looked up to when I was younger. And also, I see some similarities with him. But it’s not the reason I took the number 17.” He added with optimism, “It’s nice, though. Alexis Sanchez had number 17, so I hope I will have the same success.”
Sanchez was a talismanic figure for Arsenal during his four-year spell in North London, becoming one of the team’s most influential attackers. Tzolis’s admiration for the Chilean highlights his ambition to reach similar heights at the Emirates Stadium.
Immediate Impact and Fitness Prowess
The winger’s readiness has been evident not only on the pitch but also in his physical conditioning. Teammate Ben White noted Tzolis’s exceptional fitness levels upon his arrival.
“Christos has been amazing,” White remarked. “He came in, did all the testing, and beat everyone. So he is fitting in really well, and everyone is really happy for him to be here.”
Tzolis wholeheartedly agreed with this assessment, emphasizing his dedication to maintaining peak physical condition. “I know I’ve won so far,” he said, referring to the fitness tests. “There are not all the players here. There are still some players that have to do the tests, of course. But so far I’m first in the fitness test.” He described the demanding routine, a series of sprints and recoveries over a set distance, as “pretty hard.”
His preparedness was partly due to an early start to his pre-season training. “Actually, I had the advantage that I started pre-season also with Bruges, so I was already training for two weeks, and I always wanted to keep myself fit during summer, so I was ready,” Tzolis explained. “I came here ready with my fitness level, and I was happy that I could show it here as well.” This commitment to fitness underscores his determination to seize the opportunity at Arsenal and prove his capabilities in the Premier League.
Looking Ahead
Christos Tzolis’s journey from a difficult Premier League debut to a high-profile move to Arsenal signifies a remarkable comeback. His confidence, improved skill set, and dedication to physical readiness suggest he is well-equipped to handle the demands of top-flight football. By aiming to emulate Alexis Sanchez and embracing the challenge at Arsenal, Tzolis is poised to make a significant impact in the upcoming season.
