Arsenal winger Christos Tzolis with Leeds manager Daniel Farke covers his face inset
Arsenal winger Christos Tzolis with Leeds manager Daniel Farke covers his face inset
The 24-year-old was everywhere for the Premier League champions, playing a key part in goals for Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka before Martin Odegaard added a third after the break.
The Greece international arrived at the Emirates Stadium earlier this summer in a deal worth around £35million, and prompted excitement in pre-season.
Tzolis scored 22 goals and provided 29 assists across all competitions for Club Brugge last season, and he has further boosted excitement surrounding him after a superb competitive home debut.
Norwich City fans will be quick to remember that the winger remains their club-record signing, arriving for £10m in 2022.
After struggling to adapt and having experienced a difficult moment at the hands of Daniel Farke, Tzolis left the club in 2024.
Tzoilidifying your vote.
Christos picks up tonight's Player of the Match!
🤝 @whatsapp pic.twitter.com/7JJYBypKU6
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) August 21, 2026
Chris Sutton reminds Daniel Farke of big Christos Tzolis mistake
Tzolis arrived at Norwich in 2021 as a teenager in a completely new country and league.
He likely needed confidence and support, but found it hard to come by. There were signs of the talent - the winger scored two goals and provided two assists against Bournemouth on his Carabao Cup debut - but he was inconsistent.
In September, Tzolis stepped up to take a penalty against Liverpool in the next round and saw his effort saved.
Farke chose to hammer the teenager after the game, and said: "Believe me after I have spoken to him he will never do this mistake ever again in his life. He has apologised." "It cost us maybe a place in the next round," he added.
The winger never appeared to recover from such a public lambasting, but exploded into form after leaving the club on loan in 2023.
I wish Norwich City would have held onto Christos Tzolis a bit longer… he looks pretty lively!!!
— Chris Sutton (@chris_sutton73) August 21, 2026
Watching Friday's game, Sutton wrote: "I wish Norwich City would have held onto Christos Tzolis a bit longer… he looks pretty lively!"
Tzolis' remarkable stats vs Coventry City
Arsenal have spent much of the summer looking for a new starting left-winger, with Tzolis seen as more of a squad player.
That verdict is struggling against the winger's displays, however, with Friday representing another superb performance.
Tzolis created three chances and took four shots in the game, possessing a remarkably decisive ability to get his cross or shot away quickly.
The 24-year-old also made a tackle, two clearances, three recoveries, won two free-kicks and won four duels.
While Farke's career has progressed well since his Norwich days, the case of Tzolis may be one he looks back on with regret.