Christos Tzolis has emerged as Arsenal's most impressive attacker this summer, with the £34million signing showing the form that could solve the club's long-standing left-wing problem.
The 24-year-old joined from Club Brugge after a season in which he registered 22 goals and 29 assists in all competitions. While those numbers came in Belgium, ranked as the seventh strongest league in the world per Opta stats, his early displays for Arsenal have been promising.
Pre-season form
Tzolis assisted against Borussia Dortmund and Real Betis, then scored his first goal for the club against Girona. In the Community Shield, he set up goals for Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard.
His availability has also been notable. During two years in Belgium, he was unavailable for only five matches, three of which were due to illness.
Addressing a key weakness
Arsenal lacked consistent goal contributions from their attackers last season. Gabriel Martinelli scored one Premier League goal, while Martin Odegaard led the team with six assists. Tzolis has scored or assisted in each of his last 15 competitive club appearances, with 25 goal involvements in that run.
His style, wearing the No17 shirt and cutting inside from the left, has drawn comparisons to Alexis Sanchez. After the Community Shield, manager Mikel Arteta said: "He's fitting, he's a really intelligent boy and he has a massive quality which is when he's in the last 20-30 metres. He's so composed to pick people out around the box or to finish actions. I'm really impressed with him."
Tzolis acknowledged the comparison: "Actually, I knew that he wore the number 17. 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. It's nice (though). Alexis Sanchez had number 17 - so I hope I will have the same success."
Left-wing role
Arsenal's openness to sell Martinelli, who was left out of the Community Shield squad, suggests Tzolis is now the first-choice left winger. The position has been a problem for several seasons, with the team relying on Bukayo Saka and Odegaard on the right.
With Riccardo Calafiori providing support from left-back, Arteta may have found a better balance. Arsenal could still sign a more marquee attacker, and Tzolis's opportunities might then be limited, but as it stands the left-wing role appears to be his.
