Arsenal moved for Tzolis after a career-best year at Club Brugge, where he contributed to 40 goals—17 scored and 23 assisted—as they won the Belgian title.
Before that, he endured a tougher spell at Norwich, managing just three goals in 30 outings between 2021 and 2024.
A loan to Fortuna Düsseldorf in 2023-24 reignited his form, with 24 goals in 35 matches. He then left Norwich for Club Brugge and quickly became one of the league’s standout performers.
Since then, he has emerged as one of Europe’s most reliable creators.
In Cardiff, he registered two assists and completed more passes into the final third than any of his Arsenal teammates. While he isn’t notably quick, he is highly effective on the ball, and Mikel Arteta values his work rate.
Tzolis has stepped into the role vacated by Leandro Trossard, who joined Besiktas in July, and Arteta has noted similarities between the two.
Although Trossard had more goal involvements in last season’s Champions League, Tzolis fashioned nearly double the chances (13 to seven) and completed more passes in the final third (138 to 80).
His impact at the highest level is nothing new. In last season’s Champions League, he scored against Atalanta and Atlético Madrid and added an assist versus Barcelona.
Across the 2025-26 Belgian Pro League campaign, he created 135 chances, with 52 from set pieces (38.5%). He also assisted Piero Hincapié from a corner against Real Betis in pre-season.