REUTERS/David Klein
Arsenal found life fairly easy against Aston Villa on Monday as they saw off Unai Emery's side 1-0.
That said, this was not a victory that came without some negativity. In a week where supporters are crying out for the Gunners to make another signing in the final third, they struggled to carve out too many opportunities.
Bukayo Saka was the eventual match winner as he pounced on Riccardo Calafiori's cutback to fire home from close range.
REUTERS/David Klein
Saka looks back to his best in the early knockings of the new season but will need more help than he got on Monday, chiefly from Christos Tzolis.
What went wrong for Tzolis against Aston Villa
In the early stages of his Arsenal career, Tzolis has looked like a real steal at just £34m, particularly in a transfer market where the likes of Bradley Barcola and Morgan Rogers have moved clubs for £120m and £117m respectively.
Indeed, the 24-year-old registered three goal involvements in pre-season and then also supplied two assists in the Community Shield victory against Manchester City.
Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs
However, in his first Premier League away game at Aston Villa, he really struggled, so much so that he was hooked at half-time in favour of Eberechi Eze.
So, why did the Greek find life so difficult despite starring in every Arsenal appearance to date?
Well, Matty Cash was a proper physical presence at right-back. He pressed aggressively and gave Tzolis absolutely no time on the ball.
Against Coventry a week ago, the summer arrival appeared to have all of the time in the world to make an impact. No player had more shots (4) than he did in that match.
Yet, on this occasion, he failed to have a single shot, he was marked out of the game and failed to do anything productive with possession down the left flank. He did not complete a dribble and all three of his crosses failed to find a man.
Tzolis vs Aston Villa
Minutes played
Touches
Accurate passes
Key passes
Accurate crosses
Shots
Successful dribbles
Possession lost
Duels won
It's worrying, particularly with less than a day left of the transfer window. For weeks it looked as thought Tzolis may be the answer. Yet, on this evidence, it goes to show why Arsenal pushed so hard to sign Rogers and Vinicius Junior at various stages this summer.
So, what's the solution? Well, the market is still open, albeit not for very long.
How Arsenal can sign competition for Tzolis on deadline day
Andrea Berta has pushed hard for a marquee arrival at the top end of the pitch but it just has not been forthcoming.
The number one target was Rogers, once of Villa's parish, but the Gunners were never going to match Chelsea's £117m offer. Then there was the Vini Jr saga.
REUTERS/Dylan Martinez
Arsenal wanted him. He seemed receptive to the idead of joining. However, the iconic Brazilian ultimately penned new terms with Real Madrid.
So, for a good few weeks now, Berta and Co have been looking for alternatives. They are still pushing to sign Julian Alvarez ahead of the deadline but that one feels unlikely. A more likely move could be completed for Lyon winger Malick Fofana.
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News broke on Monday evening before the game with Villa that the Gunners has opened talks to sign Fofana before the window slams shut at 11pm on Tuesday night.
That's the word of Fabrizio Romano, who taking to social media, has revealed that Arsenal are unwilling to meet Lyon's £34m asking price and are therefore discussing a cheaper package with the French side.
The Premier League champions are not willing to totally push the boat out for the Belgian's signature but they have been boosted by the fact that the player is "keen on the move", in the words of Romano.
Lyon winger Malick Fofana
So, what's Fofana all about and why could he pose a threat to Tzolis? Well, the 21-year-old is not the elite name Arsenal have been craving but he is a real livewire.
Analysing Fofana on X, French broadcaster Matt Spiro outlined that the young wide man "would be an exciting signing for Arsenal", detailing his quick and direct play, while suggesting he "loves to run at players".
In light of Gabriel Martinelli heading to Saudi Arabia and in light of Tzolis' underperformance vs Villa, that should be music to the ears of Arteta.
Arsenal club record sales Martinelli (timeless)
In all honesty, Fofana's overall output has not been great. Last season, he scored just twice and assisted a solitary goal. It was an injury-hit campaign for him having undergone ankle surgery in October.
2024/25, however, was a lot more encouraging for the Lyon youngster. He scored 11 goals and tallied up six assists. It's not quite the 22-goal and 29-assist season Tzolis had for Club Brugge in 2025/26, but his performance against the Villans proved he still has his flaws.
Furthermore, Fofana is also one of the best young ball carriers around. In 2024/25, the Belgium international ranked among the finest 5% of wingers in Europe's top five leagues for progressive carries per 90 minutes with 5.33. In that regard, he's right up there with Saka who registered 5.07 back in the same term.
So, while he may not be Vinicius Junior, Rogers, or Barcola, he is additional cover and after Tzolis' night to forget in the Midlands this week, he could be exactly what Arteta needs. Before too long, the Greek may find himself out of the team.
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