New Arsenal signing Christos Tzolis has boldly declared the reigning Premier League champions are totally ready to defend their crown, insisting that the “stress” now rests squarely on their rivals to stop them from securing back-to-back titles.
The Greece worldwide, who joined the Gunners in a £34 million transfer from Membership Brugge, marked his debut with a objective in Saturday’s 4-1 victory over Girona.
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Regardless of important curiosity in Actual Madrid’s Vinicius Junior and Newcastle’s Bruno Guimaraes – with the latter probably nearing a swap to the Emirates Stadium this week – Tzolis stays the membership’s sole outfield acquisition of the summer time to date.
Arsenal face some early season challenges, with key defender William Saliba set to overlook the beginning of the marketing campaign as a result of a again harm. Health doubts additionally linger over Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka following their interrupted World Cup commitments with England.
Nonetheless, when questioned about Arsenal’s readiness to defend their first title in 22 years, Tzolis was unequivocal.
William Saliba is predicted to overlook the beginning of the season (Getty)
“In fact. To defend a title, you do not have to consider it. It is tougher for the opposite groups as a result of the stress is there, not on the workforce who gained the title,” he acknowledged.
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He additional emphasised the squad’s collective drive: “Once I see coaching, and the way hungry each participant is for each coaching drill, meaning all people’s able to compete on the highest stage. And while you’re a participant at Arsenal, you wish to compete for each title that is potential. So, it is not solely in regards to the Premier League, it is about all of the competitions we’re taking part in for. And I see a transparent mindset (from the gamers) and that everyone is on the identical web page to win titles right here.”
Tzolis’s journey to Arsenal has seen its share of ups and downs. He beforehand performed 14 Premier League video games for Norwich throughout the 2021-22 season, together with his debut in opposition to Arsenal, however failed to attain. Mortgage spells at FC Twente and Fortuna Dusseldorf adopted earlier than his transfer to Membership Brugge in 2024, the place he netted 43 instances throughout 108 appearances, catching Arsenal’s consideration.
Anticipated to function from Arsenal’s left flank, Tzolis arrives as a substitute for Leandro Trossard, who moved to Besiktas. Reflecting on his previous experiences, the 24-year-old acknowledged the worth of setbacks.
“In soccer it is not all the time about taking part in on the highest stage,” he continued. “You’ll be able to have some setbacks and difficulties. And I solely realized plenty of issues from this era at Norwich.
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“That is why I wished to go to Dusseldorf – to get the boldness again as a result of I knew I’ve the talents and qualities to attain objectives. Despite the fact that it was not the very best stage, like taking part in within the Premier League, it is good to play each sport and have the sensation that you would be able to rating and create and play nicely.”
He credit this era for his subsequent success: “Then I went to the subsequent stage, which is Membership Brugge, and I had two superb years there due to that, as a result of I made the choice to go to Dusseldorf and regain my confidence. So in all, I’ve had three years in a row the place I have been essential for these two groups, and I had an enormous position in an attacking half, and now I really feel I’m greater than able to be within the Premier League.
“I am not the identical participant I used to be in Norwich, 100 per cent. I really feel that in my physique and likewise in my mindset. Now it is my time to point out that I am able to taking part in within the Premier League.”