Arsenal primed to land ‘elite’ Tzolis by Monday as Arteta reloads for title defence

Fresh off a title-winning season and in no mood to stand still, Arsenal look set to pull the trigger on another forward. Word from journalist Konstantinos Lianos is that Club Brugge livewire Christos Tzolis is on course to be wrapped up by Monday, with Mikel Arteta keen to have his attacking options sorted before pre-season kicks off on 20 July.

Tzolis on the brink

Lianos says Arsenal are accelerating talks to strike a deal for Tzolis ahead of the squad reconvening next week. The Greek forward’s output last term was eye-popping: 22 goals and 29 assists across all competitions for Brugge. It’s no wonder several European heavyweights have had a sniff, but the player’s priority is north London and the Gunners are pushing to make it happen.

A formal offer is expected in the coming days, with Brugge tipped to accept. Tzolis, described as “elite” by Lianos, has already made clear he’s keen on the Emirates switch. The plan, according to the reporter, is to have the move buttoned up by Monday so Arteta knows exactly what he’s got to play with as the players return following the World Cup.

Why it suits Arteta

Arsenal have already been busy. Goalkeeper Illan Meslier has arrived to back up David Raya, while Piero Hincapié’s loan from Bayer Leverkusen has been made permanent. And with Leandro Trossard sold to Besiktas for £17m as he approached the final year of his deal, a fresh wide-forward option was always on the shopping list.

Tzolis brings direct running, end product and a knack for finding space between the lines—traits that should mesh with Arteta’s high-pressing, positionally fluid attack. There’ll be a step up from Belgium to the Premier League, of course, but his numbers hint at a player ready to compete immediately, rotate across the front line and keep standards sky high if Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus remain in situ amid speculation.

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After the World Cup: more business to come

Don’t expect this to be the final flourish. Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers is understood to be a prime target and is open to a move, while Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola is also high on the list to strengthen the flanks. With Trossard gone and chatter around both Martinelli and Jesus, the Gunners could yet need two wide options before the window shuts.

The tempo should pick up once the World Cup is officially done and dusted, with Arsenal intent on making history by defending their crown—something they’ve never achieved. If they get Tzolis over the line by Monday, it’s a tidy, decisive bit of business that keeps Arteta’s foot firmly on the accelerator.