‘It’s my time’: Christos Tzolis fighting fit for Arsenal on return to England
Christos Tzolis has spoken of feeling ready for the Premier League following his £34m summer move to Arsenal from Club Brugge, insisting he is a far more complete player than during his unsuccessful spell at Norwich. The Greek winger already made an early impression at Arsenal's training ground, topping a demanding pre-season fitness test, and has been nicknamed after King Leonidas by the club's fitness coaches in reference to his conditioning. His comments matter because Arsenal are relying on him to add creativity and goal threat to their title defence after a difficult first taste of English football several years ago.
Tzolis made only a handful of appearances for Norwich, who finished bottom of the Premier League in 2021-22, before a loan to Twente also failed to work out. He credits a subsequent loan at Fortuna Düsseldorf with restoring his confidence, which he carried into two prolific seasons at Club Brugge, scoring 33 goals overall and recording 17 goals and 23 assists in 2025-26 alone – the most goal involvements in the Belgian league. He scored his first Arsenal goal in a pre-season friendly win over Girona, and returns to the Emirates Stadium, the venue of his Premier League debut, hoping to show he has developed both physically and mentally since his time in England.
- Tzolis says he's far improved since his difficult Norwich spell
- £34m Arsenal signing impressed coaches with pre-season fitness results
- Scored 17 goals, 23 assists last season helping Club Brugge win the title
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Christos Tzolis is a Greek winger, a wide attacker who can create chances and score goals. Arsenal signed him from Belgian club Club Brugge for £34m after two productive seasons there.
His first spell in English football was difficult: he made few appearances for Norwich, who were relegated from the Premier League in 2022, and a loan move to Dutch side Twente did not go well. A later loan at Fortuna Düsseldorf helped restore his confidence before he established himself at Brugge.
Arsenal are defending the league title and will hope Tzolis adds goals and creativity to their attack. His return to England gives him a chance to show how he has developed since his earlier spell at Norwich.