If the morning is said to show the day, Arsenal made an emphatic statement with their thumping win over Manchester City in the Community Shield on Sunday (August 17).

At the Principality Stadium, it was all Gunners from start to end, as they won with an emphatic 3-0 scoreline to win the curtain-raiser ahead of the 2026-27 season.

Riccardo Calafiori scored the opener in the 23rd second of the match, and the Premier League champions never looked back. Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard scored the other two for their first silverware of the season.

It was a red-letter day for most of the Arsenal players, but one who shone with glitter was Christos Tzolis. The young Greek joined Arsenal in the summer from Club Brugge and made a scintillating start with a couple of assists on the day.

His first one was a lobbed touch back in the box to find Havertz, who scored with his head. The second one fed Odegaard, who took a swift touch and then slotted it past Donnarumma.

“I think he’s coming to the team really organically; he’s fitting, he’s a really intelligent boy and he has a massive quality which is when he’s in the last 20-30 metres. He’s so composed to pick people out around the box or to finish actions, and he’s shown that again two or three times and he was decisive,” Mikel Arteta said after the match.

And to look things closely, Arteta’s observation depicts how the Gunners may have upgraded their left wing. Before Tzolis, Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli were the ones raiding the left-hand side for Arsenal. Trossard has already left for Besiktas, while Martinelli is poised to bid adieu as well.

But have Arsenal already found an upgrade to both of them? Well, arguably, it’s a yes. Christos Tzolis brings a different attacking profile to Arsenal and, in certain areas, could offer qualities that are somewhat superior to the previous duo.

Creativity & Chance Creation

Tzolis combines goal threat with genuine playmaking ability. He is comfortable creating chances for teammates, linking with attackers and finding clever passes around the box. Compared with Martinelli, who is at his best when attacking space, Tzolis offers Arsenal another solution against deep defensive blocks.

Decision-Making & Technical Quality

One of Tzolis’ biggest strengths is his composure in the final third. He can operate in tight areas, combine quickly and make intelligent decisions around the penalty area.

Tzolis has the ability to pick passes and send in the cross in the box for the onrushing attackers. Although Arsenal didn’t take the ploy of floating in crosses last season, with Tzolis and Havertz through the middle, that can be another attacking dimension they can exploit this season.

His set-piece ability is another weapon that can add variety to Arsenal’s attack. While Martinelli provides greater explosive pace, Tzolis offers more technical versatility.

“I think you’re going to love the player. He’s a very direct player. He’s got the ball between the eyes. I think really good at linking up,” Arteta said after Tzolis scored a debut goal in the pre-season against Girona.

At 24, Tzolis is entering his prime years while still having considerable room for improvement. He gives Arsenal a different attacking dimension as the Gunners look for more glory this season.