Former Arsenal forward Jeremie Aliadiere has singled out new signing Christos Tzolis, saying he will have a “massive part to play” this season.
The Greek has settled into life in north London quickly following his move from Club Brugge, registering four assists in his first eight games.
On his debut, the winger set up two goals against Manchester City, helping his side win the Community Shield.
Aliadiere, speaking exclusively to GB News through LiveFootballTickets, believes the Greek will be a key player for Mikel Arteta’s team and has been impressed with how he has fared so far.
He said: “I think he’s going to have a massive part to play. Would he start every game? No. As we saw against Napoli, he didn’t start, but when he came on he had a massive impact.
“He wasn’t particularly good against Villa away and came off at half-time, but he was very, very good against Coventry and had a great pre-season as well.
“I think it’s going to be a little bit up and down. There are going to be games that go his way; when the team are performing, he gets a lot of the ball, and he does well.
“Then I think there are going to be games that are a bit tougher.”
Former Arsenal forward Jeremie Aliadiere has singled out Christos Tzolis, saying he will have a ‘massive part to play’ this season
|
PA
The former Gunners forward feels the gap between the Premier League and the Belgian Pro League will be noticeable for the Greek, but he has backed him to impress.
Aliadiere continued: “He had a fantastic season with Brugge and his goals and assists were absolutely crazy last year. He has played in England with Norwich, so he knows how tough it is.
“Obviously, when you come into Arsenal, the champions, with all the top players around you, you expect him to have an impact and have some good games.
“But I don’t think it’s going to be a straightforward, great season from beginning to end. There will obviously be games where he finds it a little bit more difficult.”
Aliadiere told GB News: ‘You expect Tzolis to have an impact and have some good games’
|
GETTY
Tzolis was part of an Arsenal team that struggled over the weekend, losing their first game against Brighton 3-0.
Arteta’s side had travelled to the south coast riding a seven-match winning streak, with the chance to match a club record stretching back 123 years of eight consecutive victories at the start of a campaign.
That ambition appeared doomed from the outset, however, as a rampant Brighton outfit tore into the champions from the first whistle.
Arsenal suffered their first defeat of the season in bruising fashion over the weekend
|
GETTYIt was a fourth away fixture in just 10 days for the Gunners, and the toll was evident as they were thoroughly outfought and outclassed by Fabian Hurzeler’s men.
The result catapulted Brighton to third in the Premier League table, sitting just two points behind Arsenal.
The Gunners remain in second after Manchester City beat Sunderland 5-3 in an eight-goal thriller.
