Why Christos Tzolis Is Mikel Arteta’s Ideal Leandro Trossard Replacement At Arsenal
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An Output Machine: Why Christos Tzolis Is the Ideal Replacement for Leandro Trossard at Arsenal
Following Leandro Trossard's departure to Besiktas, Mikel Arteta has secured 24-year-old Greek winger Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge in a €40m deal. Here is the full tactical and statistical breakdown.
Reigning Premier League champions Arsenal have moved swiftly in the summer transfer window to reinforce their attack. Following the departure of cult hero Leandro Trossard to Turkish giants Besiktas, manager Mikel Arteta identified his target early: 24-year-old Greek international winger Christos Tzolis. Arriving from Club Brugge on a long-term deal through 2031, Tzolis takes over the No. 17 shirt at the Emirates Stadium.
Christos Tzolis: The Greek Winger
Age: 24 | Position: Left Winger / Forward | Shirt No: 17 | Former Club: Club Brugge
The Monster Numbers Behind Club Brugge's Success
During his two seasons in Belgium, Tzolis transformed into what can only be described as a pure output machine. Having joined Club Brugge from Norwich City in 2024, he racked up 33 total goals, but his 2025/26 campaign was the catalyst that convinced Arsenal’s sporting director and Mikel Arteta to trigger his buyout clause.
In 36 domestic league matches last term, Tzolis netted 17 goals and recorded 23 assists, leading Brugge to their 20th league title. His 40 direct goal contributions were 16 more than any other player in the Belgian Pro League. Furthermore, his 23 league assists represented the highest tally across Europe's top 10 leagues.
📊 2025/26 Season Performance Metrics
Tactical Fit: How Tzolis Compares to Leandro Trossard
Much like Trossard, Tzolis is predominantly right-footed and operates primarily from the left wing, cutting inside to shoot or create. However, he also brings tactical versatility—having featured as a central striker and on the right wing during his time at Brugge.
Stylistically, Tzolis introduces a slightly different dimension. While Trossard favored controlling the tempo and combining in tight spaces, Tzolis is a dynamic ball-carrier who thrives on taking on defenders in 1v1 situations and driving aggressively into the final third.
UCL 2025/26 Head-to-Head: Trossard vs Tzolis
What Tzolis Said About Joining Arsenal
“It's absolutely amazing to sign for such a big club, the champions of England. I had a nice conversation with Mikel Arteta for around an hour. We talked about his plans, the team, and my role. I'm a direct player who goes for goals or assists, and I'm always hungry to deliver for the team.”
Set-Piece Efficiency & Adaptation Challenges
One crucial aspect of Arsenal's game under Arteta is set-piece execution. In the 2025/26 season, Arsenal set a Premier League record by scoring 19 goals from corner kicks. Tzolis’ exceptional crossing ability (evidenced by his 97 successful crosses last term) fits seamlessly into Arsenal's set-piece routines, offering another elite delivery option alongside Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka.
Final Verdict: A Smart Strategic Upgrade
At 24 years old, Tzolis is seven years younger than Leandro Trossard. While transitioning from the Belgian Pro League to the Premier League requires an adjustment period, his elite underlying metrics, ball-carrying capability, and hunger under Mikel Arteta make him the ideal long-term evolution for Arsenal's left wing.