Christos Tzolis makes Arsenal training admission after summer move
Christos Tzolis has revealed that Arsenal’s organisation and demanding training standards have particularly impressed him since his summer move to north London.
The Greece international joined Arsenal from Club Brugge in a deal worth around £34 million and has quickly established himself as an important option for Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta.
Speaking during a Sky Sports fan Q&A, Tzolis admitted the standards throughout the club were among the biggest surprises following his arrival.
“How well organised everything [is],” Tzolis said when asked what had surprised him about Arsenal. “From media to training to the restaurant upstairs, everything is top quality and well organised.”
The winger added that the demands placed on players extend beyond Arteta’s work on the training pitch.
“The demanding in training, in the gym, even runs, [is] so high and top level,” he explained.
Tzolis appears to have adapted well to those physical requirements, revealing that he finished first in one of Arsenal’s pre-season fitness tests.
The 24-year-old described completing repeated 20, 40 and 60-metre runs and recording the best time in the squad.
“I know always I can run a lot,” he said. “In all my teams I was one of the best in this test and everything in numbers, and I knew I’m in good shape.”
That conditioning has helped Tzolis make an immediate contribution during Arsenal’s perfect start to the season.
He has registered four assists across his first five competitive appearances, including setting up Martin Odegaard for Wednesday’s winner against Napoli in the Champions League.
Tzolis also provided the delivery for Odegaard’s decisive goal in Arsenal’s 2-1 comeback victory over Chelsea four days earlier.
Away from football, the Greek international offered several lighter revelations about his adjustment to life in England.
Tzolis named a Sunday roast as his preferred English meal but was far less complimentary about other traditional options, describing the full English breakfast as “overrated” and saying fish and chips was “nothing special”.
He also explained the origin of his Robin-inspired goal celebration, revealing that the idea came from his brother after they noticed how frequently other players used superhero celebrations.
Tzolis has yet to score his first competitive Arsenal goal, meaning supporters are still waiting to see that celebration in red and white.
However, his early creative output and ability to cope with Arsenal’s demanding physical standards suggest he has wasted little time adapting to Arteta’s requirements.
The post Christos Tzolis makes Arsenal training admission after summer move first appeared on ArsenalNews.co.uk.