Reuters/Matthew Childs
Arsenal supporters have been vocal in their frustrations in the transfer market over recent days, but Mikel Arteta appears to be working just fine with the players at his disposal.
The fans were frustrated that the Gunners didn’t land an additional attacking option in the closing stages of the window, after selling Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard.
However, the manager has led his side to back-to-back wins in the Premier League, subsequently scoring four times in the club’s first two outings of the campaign.
REUTERS/Peter Cziborra
The hierarchy did secure the services of one forward-minded option this summer, but he’s already showcased why he’s not an elite-level attacker.
Why Tzolis isn't the attacking star Arsenal craved this summer
As part of the attempts to bolster the attacking department this summer, Arsenal secured the £34m signing of winger Christos Tzolis from Belgian side Club Brugge.
The Greek international ended his final year at his former outfit by registering 22 goals and 29 assists in his 52 appearances - a record which injected excitement into the Gunners fanbase.
Ben-White-Tzolis
After laying on two assists in the Community Shield victory over Manchester City, the supporters’ excitement was only further bolstered ahead of the new league campaign.
However, he’s failed to score or assist in any of the last two top-flight outings, even being hooked at half-time against Aston Villa after failing to deliver against Unai Emery’s men.
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Christos Tzolis - stats against Aston Villa
Statistics
Minutes played
Touches
Accurate passes
Key passes
Accurate crosses
Shots
Successful dribbles
Possession lost
Duels won
Tzolis failed to register a single shot on goal during the 1-0 triumph, whilst also failing to complete any of his three dribbles or three crosses within the final third.
He was also dominated by the opposition throughout the clash at Villa Park, subsequently losing 86% of the ground duels he entered during the victory.
Such figures showcase his inability to impress within attacking areas of the pitch, which could suggest he’s struggling to adapt to the demands of the Premier League.
Why Arsenal made a huge mistake offloading £134m star
Whilst the Greek international will need time to adapt to a new system and a new division, there’s no denying Arsenal cannot afford to carry any passengers in their efforts of retaining the title.
Selling Martinelli and Trossard, two proven Premier League options, was a bold call from the hierarchy - especially when they failed to land two players to immediately replace them.
Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs
Such a call is what has heightened the concerns of the fanbase in recent weeks, with such a decision seen as a risky one and one that could come back to bite them.
It’s certainly not the first major call the club have made that has backfired, as seen with the decision to allow winger Michael Olise to depart the club for nothing in 2016, having spent seven years in the youth set-up.
The now French international failed to make the grade in North London, before eventually making it as a professional after joining up with Reading’s academy.
Such a decision was a blessing in disguise for the player, who’s since taken his career to stratospheric levels after being released by the Gunners as a youngster.
Impressive stints in Reading’s first team led to a move to Crystal Palace, before joining German giants Bayern Munich for a reported £50m in the summer of 2024.
The aforementioned move has allowed the 24-year-old to develop into a world-class attacker and undoubtedly reach levels way beyond new Arsenal addition, Tzolis.
Michael Olise in action for Bayern Munich
Olise registered more combined goals and assists last campaign, subsequently doing so despite featuring in a much higher quality division than the Greek star.
The Frenchman registered 11 combined goals and assists in the Champions League throughout 2025/26 - a tally which could have pushed Arteta’s men closer to winning such a trophy.
The winger also ranked in the top 2% of all attackers in Europe’s top-five leagues for shots on target per 90, whilst also finishing in the same bracket for chances created per 90.
Tzolis was unable to match such levels during his own Champions League campaign, subsequently showcasing the dominance the Frenchman possesses over the current Arsenal star.
Whilst Olise was only a young talent upon his release, it appears as though such a decision to allow him to depart is one which has come back to bite the Gunners. As per CIES Football Observatory, for instance, he's now worth as much as €157m (£134m).
He would have been a regular starter for Arteta’s men at present had they kept hold of him, but their loss appears to be Bayern Munich’s game in their own quest for success.
Arsenal - Community Shield
Arsenal - Community Shield