Mikel Arteta praises summer signing Christos Tzolis after Arsenal’s win over Chelsea

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta reserved special praise for summer signing Christos Tzolis following the Greek winger’s instrumental role in the Gunners’ 2-1 Premier League comeback win against Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

“He Was Unreal”: Arteta Heaps Praise on Tzolis After Winger’s Stunning Chelsea Display

Tzolis, who joined Arsenal from Club Brugge in the summer, delivered a match-defining performance on the left flank.

The 24-year-old provided the crucial assist for Martin Ødegaard’s 50th-minute winner, driving forward from the left and delivering a low pass that Kai Havertz cleverly dummied before the Arsenal captain finished with composure.

Speaking to Sky Sports after the final whistle, Arteta was effusive in his assessment of the Greece international.

“He was unreal again,” the Arsenal boss declared on BBC Sport.

“He has been showing that the level of threat, the work rate, and his decision-making are phenomenal to watch”.

The performance marked a significant redemption for Tzolis, who endured a difficult outing against Aston Villa last month, winning just one of seven duels and being substituted at half-time.

However, Arteta kept faith in his summer recruit, and the decision paid dividends against Chelsea.

Against the Blues, Tzolis was everywhere. He won six of eight duels, made five recoveries, and created four chances for his teammates.

His overall influence was evident in his 56 touches and 38 completed passes, a stark contrast to his subdued display at Villa Park.

The victory lifts Arsenal to second in the Premier League standings, level on points with leaders Manchester City but trailing on goals scored.

The Gunners now turn their attention to Wednesday’s Champions League clash away at Napoli, where Tzolis will look to build on his growing influence.

With three assists already across all competitions for his new club, the Greek winger is rapidly becoming a key figure in Arteta’s attacking setup.