Christos Tzolis looks like £34m bargain for Arsenal as man who brought him to England reveals why he flopped at Norwich

CHRISTOS TZOLIS is looking like a £34million bargain for Arsenal. The Greek international, a summer arrival from Club Brugge, continued his promising pre-season form with two assists in Sunday’s 3-0 win over Manchester City in the Community Shield. Christos Tzolis has enjoyed a positive start to his Arsenal career Credit: Getty Tzolis played for Norwich City from 2021 to 2024 Credit: Alamy Tzolis, 24, will be hoping to start Friday’s Premier League opener at home to Coventry and he looks a different player from the one who really struggled at Norwich. So what has changed now? And what went wrong at Carrow Road? Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! Sunsport spoke to Norwich sporting director Stuart Webber who signed Tzolis for £9m from Greek club PAOK in 2021 when the Canaries were in the top-flight under Daniel Farke. Coincidentally, Tzolis’ first Premier League game was away to Arsenal and although he was one of the hottest teenage properties in Europe, he scored just three times in 30 appearances in Norfolk. Webber, now working for Red Bull Omiya in Japan, can see the similarities between Viktor Gyokeres who struggled at Brighton and Tzolis. He said: “Gyokeres was at Brighton for longer than Christos was at Norwich and he had loads of loans. It didn’t quite work, Gyokeres went away and came back stronger. “Christos worked under Daniel Farke, Dean Smith and David Wagner. All three managers who have managed in the Premier League. They couldn’t quite get the best out of him at that time. I don’t think any of us can say they are three bad managers. He was just the right player at the wrong time for us. It’s not Christos’ fault. It’s the club’s and the team’s fault. “I think he was as disappointed as any of us. So it didn’t quite work out. But I think we all take great pride to see what he’s doing now. Most read in Football BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK Tzolis registered two assists in Arsenal’s 3–0 Community Shield win over Manchester City Credit: EPA “It’s amazing that he’s now fulfilling his undoubted talent. There’s a real sense of pride because it backs up what we all knew at the time. It’s not anyone’s fault. This happens with young players. “He probably would’ve been a signing, if I’m honest, that would’ve been more for an established Premier League club like Brighton. “I think people really underestimate how big a step up the Premier League is compared to any other league. “He scored two goals on his debut against Bournemouth in the League Cup so started at Arsenal. What was ironic about that is we had lost the first three games of the season. We’d lost against Liverpool at home, City away, Leicester at home. But they’d also lost the first three games of the season. “So Mikel Arteta was under huge pressure. You’d have to ask them, but I’m pretty sure if we’d rocked up and beat them, it would’ve been a problem. “I remember Nicolas Pepe was playing for them and Brandon Williams had him in his pocket. It was the scrappiest 1-0 game. Let’s say their goal ricocheted off a handball. A fair result would have been a draw. “Luckily for Christos, it’s now worked out great. I’m delighted for him because he’s a beautiful human being and he has an amazing family. He deserves everything he’s getting. I really hope he goes and proves he can now play in the Premier League. “These are nice stories, aren’t they? Much nicer than talking about a player who retired at 24 and doesn’t play anymore.” Tzolis has returned to England after scoring 43 times in 108 appearances for the Belgian club. Norwich beat a string of clubs five years ago to sign Tzolis. Webber added: “When we were looking at him in Greece, the biggest thing for us was his goals and assists. “It’s no surprise now, when you look at what he’s done since, at Dusseldorf and then subsequently Club Brugge, and obviously hopefully now at Arsenal as well. I know he scored on his debut the other day for Arsenal. “You have loads of wingers who are hit and miss in terms of their quality. Christos, if he gets a chance, normally scores. Play Dream Team this season! £100,000 in prize money up for grabs in 2026/27 Free to enter Play in Mini Leagues against your mates £60,000 jackpot for the overall winner £1,000 prize for winning Gameweek 1 PLAY DREAM TEAM NOW! “That really stood out, his ability to finish. His movement in behind, he almost played more like a wide forward. He had a real striker‘s instinct about him, even though he was playing as a wide player. “Christos is not rapidly quick. He’s not slow, but he’s not rapid. He wasn’t a player who was going to take the game away from the opposition. So he probably needed to play in a better team than what we were. “Christos struggled and his loan spell at FC Twente did not work out either but he went out again to Germany. “I think for Christos, I’m not sure he would have become the player he has. If he’d stayed with us, I think he needed what happened next. Which was a Fortuna Dusseldorf move.” Even though he left Norwich under a cloud, Tzolis has always kept in touch. Webber, 42, who spent six years at Norwich, joined RB Omiya last year where he had been reporting to Jurgen Klopp until the former Liverpool manager became Germany boss. And Webber revealed that Tzolis has always kept in touch. He said: “Christos always really appreciated that we were the ones that actually did take that chance. We still speak now and he is very thankful. “I’m still very proud of the team of people who brought him to the club. We were right about his talent and what he was. Unfortunately it didn’t happen for us at Norwich which would have been the perfect scenario.” Comment now