Arsenal fans are all saying the same thing about Christos Tzolis after impressive pre-season
Arsenal comfortably dispatched Manchester City in the Community Shield on Sunday afternoon, and fans are starting to get excited about one player in particular after witnessing his exceptional display at the Millennium Stadium.
Goals from Riccardo Calafiori, Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard saw off the Citizens, who looked meek in their first outing under new boss Enzo Maresca. Mikel Arteta's team physically and tactically dominated the Italian's outfit, and there were subsequently a lot of positives for the Spaniard to take away from the glorified friendly in Wales, none more so than Christos Tzolis.
The new signing capped off an outstanding pre-season with two assists in the season curtain-raiser. These moments of quality weren't the only facets of his game that contributed to what was an accomplished showing.
Arsenal fans were quick to take to social media to express how excited they are about Tzolis, comparing him to a very productive former Gunners star.
When Tzolis completed his £34 million switch from Club Brugge to Arsenal, Gunners supporters assumed it would take time for the Greek to acclimatise to English football, whilst also believing he'd very much fulfil a squad role.
However, he's massively exceeding expectations throughout pre-season, and fans cannot wait to see what he produces in the season proper.
His display in the Community Shield encounter prompted a surprising comparison to be made. Alexis Sanchez, arguably the best Arsenal player of the mid-2010s, has been mentioned relentlessly in conversations around Tzolis since the clash at the Millennium Stadium.
One fan posted the video of the new signing creating Odegaard's goal and wrote: "Tzolis is Alexis Sanchez reborn, look at the pass, Sanchez type of pass."
Tzolis is Alexis Sanchez reborn look at the pass Sanchez type of pass pic.twitter.com/hMmGQd4bi5
Another supporter hinted at the comparison, writing: "His posture and running style are exactly like a certain person."
His posture and running style are exactly like a certain person https://t.co/QCqnKVsepX
Meanwhile, another wrote: "To be honest, when you look at the way he carries the ball and runs at players, he does remind you of Alexis Sanchez."
To be honest, when you look at the way he carries the ball and runs at players, he does remind you of Alexis Sanchez.
Tzolis has a long way to go to replicate what Sanchez was able to produce in an Arsenal shirt. However, it's undeniably striking how similar this specific clip from the Community Shield makes him look to the Chilean.
Similar height and stocky build, both players run with the ball in the same way, while Tzolis also wears Sanchez's original Arsenal shirt number, 17.
The comparison does extend beyond this clip, however. When watching a compilation of Tzolis' best bits from pre-season, it genuinely looks like a Sanchez clip. If you were to substitute in the former Barcelona star, you wouldn't be surprised with what you were seeing.
Ultimately, time will tell if Tzolis can be anything like Sanchez. If he can replicate what the South American did for the Gunners, then Arsenal arguably won't need a new left-wing acquisition.
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