Tzolis spills all: Arsenal new boy shares what surprised him most since joining the Gunners

Christos Tzolis has opened up on what has surprised him most since joining Arsenal this summer.

Arsenal’s new signing has revealed that the club’s meticulous organisation and the sheer intensity of their training demands have made the biggest impression on him since his £34 million move from Club Brugge.

Tzolis has wasted no time making his mark since arriving in north London. Four assists in his first five competitive appearances, including the delivery for Martin Ødegaard’s winner against Napoli in the Champions League and the pass that set up the same player’s decisive goal in the 2-1 comeback victory over Chelsea. This has given Arsenal supporters plenty of reasons to be excited about what lies ahead.

Speaking during a Sky Sports fan Q&A, the 24-year-old was asked what had surprised him most about life at the club since his arrival. His answer reflected the reputation Arsenal have built under Mikel Arteta, one of the most meticulously run operations in European football.

“How well organised everything is,” Tzolis said. “From media to training to the restaurant upstairs, everything is top quality and well organised.”

He went further when discussing the physical demands Arteta places on his squad, making clear that the intensity of the club’s work extends far beyond the training pitch itself.

“The demanding in training, in the gym, even runs, is so high and top level,” he added.

Tzolis beats the squad

Those demands have clearly not fazed Tzolis. He revealed during the Q&A that he finished first in one of Arsenal’s pre-season fitness tests, recording the best time in the squad across a series of repeated 20, 40 and 60-metre runs.

“I know always I can run a lot,” he said. “In all my teams I was one of the best in this test and everything in numbers, and I knew I’m in good shape.”

That conditioning is already evident in the contribution he has made in Arsenal’s perfect start to the season, five games, five wins, and four assists to his name.

Life off the pitch

Tzolis also gave supporters a glimpse of his personality away from football. When asked about English food, the Greek winger named a Sunday roast as his preferred option, yet was significantly less kind about other traditional offerings, describing the full English breakfast as “overrated” and fish and chips as “nothing special.”

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He also revealed the story behind his Robin-inspired goal celebration, explaining that the idea came from his brother after they noticed how frequently other players used superhero celebrations. Arsenal supporters are still waiting to see it, Tzolis is yet to score his first competitive goal for the club, but on this early evidence, it cannot be too far away.