Arsenal defender Ben White has lavished praise on new signing Christos Tzolis, revealing that the Greek winger outperformed every player during the club's pre-season fitness testing following his arrival from Club Brugge.
The Gunners moved swiftly to secure Tzolis in a £34 million deal after Leandro Trossard's departure to Besiktas, handing the 24-year-old a five-year contract that keeps him at the Emirates until 2031.
Tzolis arrived in North London with an impressive reputation after a sensational spell in Belgium, where he registered 21 goals and 28 assists in just 45 appearances. Those numbers had already raised expectations among Arsenal supporters, but the winger has wasted little time showing why the club invested in him.
He made his unofficial debut in Arsenal's 4-1 pre-season victory over Girona, producing an energetic display on the left flank and marking the occasion with his first goal in Arsenal colours. His direct running, confidence on the ball and willingness to attack defenders immediately caught the attention of both fans and teammates.
White revealed that Tzolis had also made a huge impression behind the scenes.
"Christos has been incredible. He arrived, completed all the testing, and surpassed everyone. He is integrating very well, and everyone is genuinely pleased to have him here."
The England defender's comments suggest Tzolis is not only adapting quickly to Mikel Arteta's demanding system but is also setting high standards with his professionalism and physical condition.
Arsenal will now hope the winger continues his encouraging start when they face Real Betis in Dublin as preparations for the new campaign gather momentum.
Opinion
Pre-season performances should never be treated as definitive proof of what lies ahead, but Christos Tzolis is already ticking the boxes Arsenal fans want to see. Excelling in fitness tests shows commitment before a ball is even kicked, while scoring on his debut demonstrates confidence under pressure.
Replacing a player of Leandro Trossard's quality is no easy task, yet Tzolis appears determined to make the transition seamless. If he maintains the same work ethic and attacking sharpness once the Premier League season begins, Arsenal may have secured far more than just a replacement—they could have found one of the bargains of the summer transfer window.
