Arsenal enjoyed an outstanding 2025/26 season, winning the Premier League for the first time in 22 years while also making it all the way to the final of the UEFA Champions League, where they ultimately lost to PSG on penalties.
Once all the celebrations for last season were wrapped up, the club immediately got to work to prepare for the new campaign. Looking to retain their crown, the Gunners have added some much-needed quality to their squad over the summer.
While Bruno Guimaraes’ high-profile acquisition from Newcastle United may have taken most of the headlines, signing Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge is also a move that brings plenty of promise.
The Greek international has been signed for £34 million, which is a pretty modest fee considering how the modern transfer market operates. Also, he offers Arsenal plenty of versatility, as he can play both as an out-and-out left winger or an attacking midfielder.
Tzolis has hit the ground running with his new team, recording a total of five goal contributions in five appearances so far – including one goal and four assists. Two of those assists came in the FA Community Shield rout of Manchester City, which Arsenal won 3-0.
In addition to his superb performances so far, another factor that is sure to endear Christos Tzolis to his new fans is the fact that he shares plenty of glaring similarities with one of the most popular former Arsenal players in recent history – Alexis Sanchez.
An in-game GIF from Cardiff has gone viral among Arsenal because of how similar the Greek looks like the Chilean while charging at defenders from the left wing.
The clip shows Tzolis’ assist in action for Arsenal’s 3rd goal against City scored by Martin Odegaard.
— P (@perwilo) August 17, 2026
Fans saw similarity in the running style and posture Tzolis maintained while going about his business.
Tzolis has stocky build, makes short steps, leans in while running and maintains a similar arching of the hands from the elbow like Sanchez.
Arriving from FC Barcelona in 2014, Alexis Sanchez went on to spend four seasons at the Emirates, making 166 appearances, scoring 80 goals and providing 44 assists across all competitions. Along with his superb numbers, Sanchez also brought a typical South American tenacity and work rate that made him an instant favourite in North London.
While only time will tell if Tzolis can go on to replicate Sanchez’ stats, there are plenty of stylistic parallels that can be drawn between the two.
Both players enjoy playing off the left wing, cutting onto their favoured right foot to shoot or create, while even their way of running with and without the ball is quite similar.
Flashes of the Chilean superstar are clearly visible when looking at Tzolis’ extremely direct play style, as he prefers to instantly go one-on-one against his man after getting possession of the ball, and also the way he explodes out of tight spaces.
What’s more, Tzolis has also chosen to wear the #17 shirt for the Gunners. Sanchez also famously picked the same number to start his Arsenal career, before switching to the more popular #7 shirt in 2016.
While Alexis Sanchez earned a special place in the hearts of Arsenal fans with his mercurial performances, his time at the Emirates saw the Gunners win two FA Cups and three FA Community Shields. While these titles are by no means small feats, fans would perhaps have hoped to see the superstar winger lead the team to greater honours.
If Christos Tzolis could bring that same intensity paired with a few Premier League or even potentially Champions League triumphs, there is every chance he could even go on to surpass Sanchez’s legacy.
