Arsenal supporters wondering what Christos Tzolis can contribute this season may already have a clue from the nickname he has picked up inside the club. The Greek winger has been dubbed “Leonidas” by Arsenal’s fitness staff, a reference to the fearless Spartan king from the film 300. The comparison is less about mythology than the qualities associated with the character—resilience, determination and exceptional physical strength.

It did not take long for Tzolis to make an impression after completing his £34 million transfer from Club Brugge. During his opening week at Arsenal’s training base, he excelled in a series of physical assessments, including finishing first in one demanding endurance test that required players to cover more than a kilometre through repeated intervals. While he preferred not to disclose the rest of his results, the 23-year-old admitted they reflected positively on his condition.

A Career That Needed Rebuilding

Returning to England feels very different from Tzolis’ previous experience in the Premier League. His first spell came as a teenager with Norwich City during the 2021-22 campaign, when the club endured a difficult season and finished at the foot of the table. Opportunities were limited, with only three league starts before his situation worsened the following year.

The next season brought little improvement. After an unsuccessful loan at Dutch side Twente and only a handful of Championship starts, another temporary move—this time to Fortuna Düsseldorf—effectively marked the end of his Norwich journey. Looking back, Tzolis believes that decision became the turning point in his career.

“Football isn’t a straight road,” he explained. “There are difficult moments and setbacks that every player has to deal with. My time at Norwich taught me many important lessons. I chose Düsseldorf because I wanted to regain my confidence, knowing I still had the ability to score and make a difference.”

Although Germany’s second division lacked the prestige of the Premier League, playing consistently proved invaluable.

“Being on the pitch every week gives you belief,” he said. “You start feeling capable of scoring, creating opportunities and producing good performances. That confidence helped me move to Club Brugge, where I enjoyed two fantastic years. Everything started because I made the decision to rebuild myself.”

A Different Player Than Before

Tzolis insists the player Arsenal have signed bears little resemblance to the teenager who struggled in East Anglia.

“I feel much more prepared for the Premier League now,” he said. “Choosing the path I did after Norwich was the right move. I’ve improved in every aspect. Physically, mentally and technically, I’m completely different. Now it’s time to prove that I belong at this level.”

His words reflect a mature outlook. The Greece international also says he enjoys learning from teammates with different backgrounds and sees multicultural dressing rooms as an opportunity to continue developing both on and off the pitch.

Numbers That Caught Arsenal’s Attention

His performances in Belgium underline that progress.

Across two seasons with Club Brugge, Tzolis produced 33 goals, but it was his outstanding 2025-26 campaign that convinced Arsenal to move. He finished the season with 17 goals and 23 assists, ending the league with 16 more direct goal contributions than any other player while helping Brugge reclaim the domestic title.

That remarkable combination of creativity and finishing established him as one of Belgium’s standout attacking players.

Why Things Never Worked at Norwich

Tzolis believes circumstances at Norwich prevented him from showing his best qualities.

Interestingly, his Premier League debut came against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, the venue he now calls home. Reflecting on that period, he explained that Norwich’s style simply did not suit his strengths.

“The team wasn’t ready for the Premier League, which also made adapting difficult,” he said. “I’m naturally an attacking player who enjoys being in a side that controls possession and creates chances. At Norwich we spent much more time defending deep and relying on transitions, and that wasn’t the type of football that suited me.”

He also pointed to the lack of regular minutes during his early years in England.

“As a young player, you need games to improve. I didn’t get enough opportunities, and that was probably the biggest disappointment from my time there.”

Arteta’s Call Made the Decision Easy

During the summer, Tzolis was relaxing in his hometown of Thessaloniki when Arsenal made their interest known. The club identified him as the player to replace Leandro Trossard on the left wing, and manager Mikel Arteta personally spoke with him on two occasions.

According to Tzolis, Arteta’s message was straightforward: continue playing with the same confidence and attacking freedom that had brought success in Belgium.

“It’s difficult to turn down Arsenal,” the winger admitted. “Other clubs showed interest and made enquiries, but nothing was as serious. Arsenal moved quickly and clearly, so once they came in, I knew where I wanted to go. I didn’t want to consider anything else. The decision was simple.”

Inspired by David Villa

Tzolis has long admired former Spain striker David Villa and says he has tried to incorporate elements of the legendary forward’s game into his own.

“I always liked how David Villa operated from the left and constantly looked to score,” he explained.

That influence was evident during Arsenal’s 4-1 pre-season victory over Girona, where Tzolis opened his account by drifting inside from the left before bending a precise finish beyond the goalkeeper into the far corner.

Determined to Make His Mark

More than statistics or technical ability, Tzolis believes his greatest strengths are his mentality and competitive spirit.

“I play with passion and always want to win,” he said. “Every match and every duel deserves everything I have. I’ll always give 100 percent.”

Judging by the nickname already circulating around Arsenal’s training ground, those qualities are exactly why “Leonidas” has quickly earned the respect of his new teammates.