Arsenal actually had a decent attack with Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard, Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz, and Bukayo Saka, and while it was the weak point of a side that won the Premier League, the attack was still good enough that it didn’t hold the Gunners back from finally taking home the title.
But Arsenal are now ten times better as an offense with Christos Tzolis, whose goal scoring and assist providing exploits at Club Brugge were clear enough to the Gunners at the time of his signing.
Though he did not score or assist in the 3-0 opening win over Coventry, Tzolis had three key passes and two fouls drawn in a highly successful debut in which he was quite arguably the best player on the entire pitch.
What Arsenal were missing and what Tzolis is providing is a directness from the left flank that Gabriel Martinelli has clearly lacked, leading to transfer rumors surrounding his name, and that even Leandro Trossard did not quite have the quantities of quality that Tzolis does.
Christos Tzolis is always looking to play forward and centrally. His goal is one of three decisive outcomes: score a goal, create an assist, or draw a foul. The defense has to stop him or he has to score a goal. That is his the sole intention he has when the ball is at his feet or when he makes a run off the ball from the left flank.
It is a mentality that an exasperated Thierry Henry has often pined for on the broadcast, and it is one that Tzolis is now bringing to Arsenal where it was lacking before. A big upgrade is coming to the Arsenal attack.
Purveyor of footy since the 90s. Favor the Premier League and old school Serie A with a touch of Bundesliga. More than a touch. Professional writer for 20 years, covering every sport but now focused on the Premier League and world football. You won’t be able to guess my favorite team.