Arsenal’s Christos Tzolis during the FA Community Shield match at the Principality Stadium, Cardiff. Picture date: Sunday August 16, 2026. (Photo by Adam Davy/PA Images via Getty Images)
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Arsenal’s Premier League title defence started on the front foot as Mikel Arteta’s team made short work of Coventry City in Friday’s 2026/27 season opener. Indeed, the Gunners were in impressive early-season form with Christos Tzolis one of the most eye-catching players on the Emirates Stadium pitch.
Signed from Club Brugge in the summer transfer window, many expected Tzolis to be a depth option for Arsenal this season. This sense was underlined by Arsenal’s pursuit of Vinicius Junior. While the Brazilian ultimately signed a new contract to stay at Real Madrid, the English champions were in the market for an elite left winger.
LONDON COLNEY, ENGLAND – JULY 23: (L) Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and Sporting Director Andrea Berta with new signing Christos Tzolis at Sobha Realty Training Centre on July 23, 2026 in London Colney, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
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Tzolis, however, has made a good first impression as an Arsenal player. The Greek international played a lot throughout pre-season and he carried that form into Friday’s Premier League opener, setting up Bukayo Saka for a goal and generally posing a consistent threat down the left side.
Last season, Arsenal won the Premier League title on the basis of its defensive strength. The Gunners allowed just 27 goals in 38 games, giving them the best defensive record of any team in Europe’s so-called Big Five leagues. This was the reason Arteta’s side finished top of the table.
This season, the pressure is on the Premier League champions to evolve. There have been signs of this in the Community Shield victory over Manchester City and the opening weekend win against Coventry City. Tzolis is an important part of how Arteta is pushing the Gunners to an even higher level.
CARDIFF, WALES – AUGUST 16: Bruno Guimarães of Arsenal celebrates winning the 2026 FA Community Shield match between Arsenal and Manchester City at Principality Stadium on August 16, 2026 in Cardiff, Wales. (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images)
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Bruno Guimaraes’ arrival from Newcastle United has strengthened Arsenal’s options in the centre of the pitch. The Brazilian is firmly established as one of the best midfielders in the Premier League and so it’s expected that he will become a starting figure for the best side in the division this season.
Ezri Konsa has been brought in from Aston Villa to bulk up Arsenal’s defensive ranks. The 28-year-old was a starting figure for England at the 2026 World Cup and will plug the gap left by the injured William Saliba who is currently sidelined with a back injury. Konsa will give the Gunners yet another option.
In Tzolis, though, Arsenal look to have added a player capable of elevating its attacking level. The Greek winger wasn’t the most notable transfer made by a Premier League club this summer, but his initial performances suggest he could be one of the most consequential.