Arsenal are yet to make their first signing of the summer transfer window.
Indeed, the Gunners are taking a slow approach to recruitment after winning the Premier League title.
However, that doesn’t mean work isn’t going on behind-the-scenes.
Arsenal have identified a number of transfer targets already this summer. Morgan Rogers is a key target, Ezri Konsa is being looked at, while Julian Alvarez is a dream target.
Meanwhile, Arsenal have also been linked to Club Brugge winger, Christos Tzolis, and while that move may not seem too exciting on paper, it could be a deal that ends up being better than most are anticipating.
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Christos Tzolis could be Arsenal’s next Mikel Merino
It would be easy to write Tzolis off as a potential Arsenal star. After all, he’s already had one spell in the Premier League, and it wasn’t pretty.
Indeed, it’s fair to say Tzolis’ spell at Norwich City was a low point.
| Christos Tzolis stats for Norwich | Appearances | Goals | Assists | Goal Contributions | G/A Per Game |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| League stats only | 27 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 0.11 |
The winger couldn’t make anything happen at Carrow Road, and he quickly left English football to rediscover himself and his best form.
Since leaving England, Tzolis has been excellent.
| Christos Tzolis stats for Club Brugge | Games | Goals | Assists | Goal Contributions | Goal Contributions Per Game |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024/25 | 38 | 16 | 9 | 25 | 0.66 |
| 2025/26 | 36 | 17 | 23 | 40 | 1.11 |
| Total – league only | 74 | 33 | 32 | 65 | 0.88 |
Of course, you could argue that Tzolis will have the same problems he had at Norwich upon his return to the Premier League, but there’s an example of a player in the Arsenal squad who shows what he can be.
It’s easy to forget, but Mikel Merino had an ill-fated spell at Newcastle United before becoming a star at Arsenal and a key player for Spain.
Merino could barely get into the Newcastle team at one point, but since then, he’s become a Premier League winner and a star for his national team.
One bad spell in the Premier League doesn’t have to define you, and if Tzolis comes to Arsenal, he could well follow in Merino’s footsteps by becoming a real Premier League dangerman second time around.
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