Christos Tzolis has already written himself into Community Shield history after the £34million Arsenal signing matched a feat last achieved by David Beckham 30 years ago.
The Greece international produced two assists as Mikel Arteta’s side swept Manchester City aside 3-0 in Cardiff.
Tzolis first headed the ball back across goal for Kai Havertz to double Arsenal’s advantage before threading Martin Odegaard through for the third shortly after half-time. Reuters also highlighted the winger as one of Arsenal’s key attacking performers.
The numbers make his display even more impressive.
Christos Tzolis picked up two assists in @Arsenal's Community Shield victory against Man City 🅰️🅰️
Priced at £6.5m, is he an option for your #FPL team ahead of the new season? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/sEWCn29LUi
— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) August 16, 2026
Christos Tzolis matches David Beckham record
The Times reports Tzolis became the first player since Beckham in 1996 to provide two assists in a Community Shield match. Beckham achieved the feat for Manchester United against Newcastle United.
For a player whose £34m arrival generated far less attention than Arsenal’s pursuits of more expensive attacking targets, it represents a remarkable competitive start.
Arteta was particularly impressed by Tzolis’ decision-making against City, praising his ability to remain composed when attacking situations become crowded.
That quality was visible in both assists.
The first required awareness to resist shooting and instead return the ball across goal for Havertz. The second saw Tzolis move inside before releasing Odegaard with a perfectly weighted pass.
ReadArsenal previously examined why Arsenal viewed the £34m winger as a natural replacement for Leandro Trossard.
His ceiling could already be higher than simply providing squad depth.
Tzolis endured a difficult first spell in English football with Norwich City before rebuilding his career and becoming Club Brugge’s player of the year. The Times reports he produced 43 goals and 45 assists across his two seasons in Belgium before Arsenal brought him back to the Premier League.
One match should not completely reshape expectations.
But two assists against Manchester City and a Community Shield feat untouched for three decades is a considerable way to start proving Arsenal’s £34m gamble could be far more rewarding than expected.
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