Arsenal came close. It felt like they were right on the verge of sealing perhaps the biggest deal in Premier League history.
They were firmly at the table for Vinicius Junior. Personal terms were offered but he ultimately rejected the move. Real Madrid upped their own contract offer to the Brazilian and perhaps unsurprisingly, he chose to remain in the Spanish capital.
It is back to the drawing board for the Gunners. Do they still try to sign a new left winger or do they look to use that money elsewhere?
Bolstering their attack, specifically on the left, was the biggest priority heading into the summer. After all, Gabriel Martinelli looks as though he’s hit a ceiling and Christos Tzolis is hardly a marquee signing.
How Tzolis compares to Martinelli
Since signing for Arsenal in a mere £6m deal as a teenager, the Brazilian has been a loyal and handy servant for Mikel Arteta throughout the years.
The 25-year-old has played 278 times for the club, scoring 62 goals in the process. However, after a 15-goal campaign back in 2022/23, he has not really kicked on.
Has Martinelli reached his potential? It certainly feels like it. The wide man was in good form in the cup competitions last season, scoring ten across the Champions League, FA Cup and League Cup. However, the problem was that he only bagged once in the Premier League.
As a result, with Leandro Trossard leaving for Besiktas, Andrea Berta and Co simply had to do something.
The response was to sign Tzolis from Belgian side Club Brugge. He has caught the eye already in pre-season, scoring against Girona and registering assists versus Real Betis and Borussia Dortmund.
Compared to Martinelli, he’s a much more prolific option, as the numbers from last season showcase.
|
Tzolis vs Martinelli in 2025/26 (league only) |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Stat (* = per 90 mins) |
Tzolis |
Martinelli |
|
Games |
36 |
30 |
|
Goals |
17 |
1 |
|
Assists |
23 |
4 |
|
Shots on target * |
1.2 |
0.4 |
|
Big chances created |
25 |
4 |
|
Crosses * |
2.7 |
0.3 |
|
Successful dribbles * |
1.1 |
0.7 |
|
Ground duels won * |
3.5 |
1.6 |
Despite a rip roaring year in the Belgian top-flight, it remains to be seen how Tzolis takes to Premier League life. This is a player who previously struggled at Norwich City, scoring three times in 30 appearances.
The Greek does look like a shrewd signing, but he is not the elite-level name fans are craving. He is not the upgrade on Martinelli and Trossard that Arteta needs.
How Arsenal can upgrade on Tzolis and Martinelli
To their credit, Arsenal have tried to be ambitious this summer. There would not have been a better signing they could make all summer than Vinicius Junior.
Lest we forget, the Gunners were also very keen on signing Morgan Rogers and had held talks with Aston Villa prior to his £117m move to Chelsea last month.
Options are wearing thin. Everton’s Iliman Ndiaye has been discussed but like Tzolis, does not represent a clear upgrade on what they already have.
Bradley Barcola, however, would certainly be an upgrade. Behind Vini Jr, he feels like the next best option on the left flank but he will cost a premium. Liverpool have been in talks to complete a move but are struggling to agreeing a fee with PSG. The Champions League winners are hoping to receive £145m for his services.
Still, with the Vini move falling through, BBC Sport report that Arsenal have explored a move for Barcola this summer. What a signing he would be too.
Compared to Tzolis and Martinelli, he absolutely wipes the floor with Arteta’s current options on the left flank.
Described as “one of the best left wingers in Europe” by Como scout Ben Mattinson, Barcola may well have netted just 13 goals and posted seven assist last term, but he has more than lived up to Mattinson’s billing in recent times.
The Frenchman was one of the stars of the World Cup, scoring three times in eight games for the fourth-placed side. He was in electric form, amassing as many as 1.6 successful dribbles per match. For context, he ranked within the top 30 players in the whole competition for that metric.
Like Tzolis, the 23-year-old is a canny operator but he has proven he can do it a much higher level. In 2024/25, Barcola scored 21 goals and registered 18 assists in all competitions.
He’s one of the most producitve and effervescent young wingers around and would be a clear upgrade on what Arsenal already have on the left side of their forward line.
