Mikel Arteta said it was no surprise to see Christos Tzolis shine in Arsenal’s opening-day win over Coventry City after a string of “phenomenal” displays in pre-season. 

Arsenal began their Premier League title defence with a comfortable 3-0 victory at Emirates Stadium on Friday, with Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard on target. 

Tzolis played a huge role in both of Arsenal’s first-half goals, first winning the ball back from Milan van Ewijk which led to Riccardo Calafiori crossing for Havertz to sweep home. 

In the 23rd minute, Tzolis’ teasing cross into the area could only be pushed into danger by Carl Rushworth, handing Saka the simplest of finishes to put the Gunners in control. 

Despite not getting on the scoresheet, Tzolis’ overall performance caught the eye. No Arsenal player had more shots (four) and touches in the opposition box (eight) than the Greek international, while only Noni Madueke (four) created more chances than his three (level with Odegaard). 

Fresh from scoring 22 goals and providing 29 assists across all competitions for Club Brugge in 2025-26, Tzolis was brought in to replace Leandro Trossard at Arsenal, and Arteta expressed his delight at what he has seen from his summer signing so far. 

“I love that a player that has been with us just for a few weeks gets this kind of energy every time he’s on the ball,” said Arteta. “I think he’s earned it.

“I think the way he has performed in the last few games has been phenomenal.

“What he transmits as a player is so direct, so incisive, constantly. He wants to make things happen, and he has done an incredible variety of actions in the last 30 metres.

“I think it’s up to him to make the right decisions. Even the spaces are sometimes really, really small. I’m very happy with him.

“It was great because the start is always tricky; we played a team that had a long time to prepare as well, and they are really good at what they do, but I’ve been really impressed with what I have seen so far.”

Tzoilidifying your vote.

Christos picks up tonight’s Player of the Match!

@whatsapp pic.twitter.com/7JJYBypKU6

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) August 21, 2026

The Gunners’ win was Arteta’s 150th in the Premier League since he took charge of Arsenal. He is one of five managers to reach that milestone in fewer than 250 games (249).

It was also Arsenal’s joint-biggest win when opening a Premier League campaign at home, along with another 3-0 victory in the 1994-95 season against Manchester City. 

Arsenal are now unbeaten in 46 Premier League home games against promoted sides, extending the longest such run by any team in the competition’s history (W41 D5), and Arteta was thrilled with the dominance his side showed. 

“There was a lot to like about that performance,” said Arteta.

“It was a good result but the manner in which we started the game, such domination, such clarity, such understanding and flow in the game, was really impressive.

“The start to a season is always tricky. We played a team that had a long time to prepare as well, and they are really good at what they do, but I was just really impressed with what I saw.”

There was, however, no place in the Arsenal team for Bruno Guimaraes, who was pictured with ice strapped to his right leg after being forced off in the Community Shield.

“We expect that not to be weeks at all,” Arteta said of the club’s £75m summer signing from Newcastle United. “Let’s see how he evolves this week. He didn’t even want to stop.

“He wanted to carry on. Now we start to understand the character of the player, but I don’t expect that to be a big issue.”