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9 September 2026

A relatively low-key addition to Arsenal’s squad is already making a big impression on the training ground.

Arsenal have been encouraged by the early impact of summer signing Christos Tzolis, with Club Brugge president Bart Verhaeghe disclosing that the winger has already received glowing feedback from his new club.

Tzolis completed his move to Arsenal from Club Brugge in July in a deal worth £34m, putting pen to paper on a long-term contract at Emirates Stadium.

The 24-year-old was identified by manager Mikel Arteta after Leandro Trossard’s exit, while Gabriel Martinelli had also been placed on the market.

Tzolis has enjoyed a promising opening spell in north London, playing his part as the Premier League champions won their first four matches ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League clash with Napoli.

Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta had earlier said Tzolis would “raise the technical level of our squad” and add a “strong mentality to our team”.

Verhaeghe said Arsenal figures were just as positive when representatives of the two clubs crossed paths at last month’s Champions League draw in Monaco.

“At the Champions League draw, I saw people from Arsenal and they showed a tremendous amount of respect,” Verhaeghe told Het Belang van Limburg.

“‘What a player you’ve delivered’, they told me. They said he has an excellent attitude, is the best in the physical tests and is a great guy, too.”

In another interview with Het Laatste Nieuws, Verhaeghe added: “Arsenal said ‘what a player’ when they approached me after the draw.

“Christos had come out on top in all the tests. That’s what we do here: deliver a ready-made product. Because we know what those top teams are looking for. We prepare our players for that kind of football.

“Back then, people laughed at our holistic approach to nutrition, sleep, special glasses… Today, it’s all standard practice. We were the innovators from day one, and we’ll keep innovating.

“Today, we’re selling players to Arsenal and Inter Milan, two teams that have reached the Champions League final in the last two years.

“And at the same time, we’re recruiting directly from the Premier League, from a club like West Ham. 10 years ago, that was unthinkable.”

Arsenal defender Ben White also spoke warmly about Tzolis after the winger stood out during pre-season testing.

“Christos has been amazing,” White said. “He came in, did all the testing, and beat everyone.

“So he is fitting in really well and everyone is really happy for him to be here.”