Arsenal summer signing Christos Tzolis was the guest of honour for former side Club Brugge over the weekend, taking a ceremonial kick-off in their derby match.
Arsenal summer addition Christos Tzolis has made a strong first impression on Gunners supporters with some positive early performances, but the winger is seemingly just as popular with his former team Club Brugge.
Tzolis left Club Brugge for Arsenal in July, and it’s not unusual for fans to turn on their best players in the aftermath of transfer exits. But that’s certainly not the case here, as the 24-year-old was invited back as the guest of honour for the Bruges derby on Sunday.
Club Brugge hosted Cercle Brugge in the afternoon kick-off, and Tzolis was asked to take an honorary kick-off for the match.
Tzolis emerged from the tunnel to chants of “Tzolis! Tzolis! Tzolis!”, with the player turning to applaud the home support. He then took the ceremonial kick-off before leaving the field with a huge smile on his face, greeting former teammates as he passed them.
With Arsenal last in action on Friday and a long gap to the next game on Monday, August 31st, Tzolis was free to make the quick trip across the English Channel to visit his old side.
But the Gunners will want the winger back in training this week, given he’s been such an important part of the team’s first two wins of the new season.
Tzolis provided two assists in Arsenal’s Community Shield win over Manchester City, before playing an important role in the team’s subsequent Premier League win over Coventry City.
It was only a deflection on his cross that denied Tzolis an official assist for Bukayo Saka’s goal against Coventry, though as the player pointed out afterwards: “In the Fantasy [Premier League], it counts. I take the three points!”
Mikel Arteta will be hoping the Greek international is similarly influential in next week’s trip away to Aston Villa.
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