We all love a market opportunity, don’t we? Arsenal did well in that regard last summer. Andrea Berta did not come into the summer window with the thought of signing Eberechi Eze but the opportunity was simply too good to turn down.
Eze was on the verge of signing for Spurs but after a phone call at the 11th hour, plans were scrapped and he ultimately ended up heading to the red side of London instead.
We will always remember his first time he appeared as an Arsenal player at the Emirates Stadium. Blue jeans and sporting a beaming smile, it was a remarkable moment in a season that was full of such highs.
Well, this time around it is unlikely to be quite as dramatic as that move but another market opportunity has emerged; Club Brugge’s Christos Tzolis has become a leading target for the Gunners but he’s not the only forward player on their radar.
Arsenal targeting big-money Tzolis upgrade
Towards the back end of last week it was revealed that Arsenal were in the conversation to sign Tzolis from Club Brugge.
A former Norwich player who didn’t really enjoy a great time of it during his first stint in England, he has been tearing the Belgium Pro League to shreds in the last couple of years.
The word is that the Greek forward would like to join Arsenal and that early talks are underway regarding a move. For those fearing that a move for Tzolis could impact the signing of a high-profile name, fear not.
The Gunners know they need to spend big to improve the forward line this summer and providing they have their way, that is what they intend to do.
The latest on their pursuit of attacking recruits comes from Fabrizio Romano who revealed that club-to-club talks are now actually underway with Aston Villa regarding Morgan Rogers.
Previously only conversations with the player’s camp had taken place so this is a step in the right direction.
Romano told viewers on his YouTube video: “I think it is going to be one to watch. He is a special player. Arsenal love him and Arsenal want to go big for this one. They remain in conversations for Rogers. They are also talking to Club Brugge for Tzolis, a player really highly rated by the Arsenal management but it’s a separate story. It’s not an alternative to Rogers.
“He [Rogers] is their top target for the winger position. Arsenal really want to try to make it happen but with Aston Villa it is never easy. But, for sure, Arsenal love the player and they remain in contact on player and club side.”
Why Rogers is better than Tzolis
After winning the Premier League there is no need to completely gut the team. The core foundations must remain but it is time for Arsenal to finally go really big on improving their forward line.
Arteta has not necessarily neglected that area of the pitch since becoming manager but he has prioritised the backline and forming a solid core.
Well, the Spaniard now has that so the time has come for a bit of bravery in the final third now. In Rogers and Tzolis, they would sign two players more than capable of taking over from Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli and upgrading on them.
The word is that the Greek forward would like to join Arsenal and that early talks are underway regarding a move. For those fearing that a move for Tzolis could impact the signing of a high-profile name, fear not.
The Gunners know they need to spend big to improve the forward line this summer and providing they have their way, that is what they intend to do.
The latest on their pursuit of attacking recruits comes from Fabrizio Romano who revealed that club-to-club talks are now actually underway with Aston Villa regarding Morgan Rogers.
Previously only conversations with the player’s camp had taken place so this is a step in the right direction.
Romano told viewers on his YouTube video: “I think it is going to be one to watch. He is a special player. Arsenal love him and Arsenal want to go big for this one. They remain in conversations for Rogers. They are also talking to Club Brugge for Tzolis, a player really highly rated by the Arsenal management but it’s a separate story. It’s not an alternative to Rogers.
“He [Rogers] is their top target for the winger position. Arsenal really want to try to make it happen but with Aston Villa it is never easy. But, for sure, Arsenal love the player and they remain in contact on player and club side.”
Why Rogers is better than Tzolis
After winning the Premier League there is no need to completely gut the team. The core foundations must remain but it is time for Arsenal to finally go really big on improving their forward line.
Arteta has not necessarily neglected that area of the pitch since becoming manager but he has prioritised the backline and forming a solid core.
Well, the Spaniard now has that so the time has come for a bit of bravery in the final third now. In Rogers and Tzolis, they would sign two players more than capable of taking over from Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli and upgrading on them.
If there were two regular starters who need to be moved on, it is those two. Before scoring that vital winner against West Ham, the Belgian had not scored in 25 straight games. Martinelli was even more desperate for a goal in the league. He only scored once in the Premier League all season.
Well, in Tzolis and Rogers, they would certainly add more goals. On paper, the former looks a very exciting signing, even if he would be joining from Belgian’s top-flight, a league not usually renowned for being flooded with star names.
That said, in 2025/26, the Greece international scored 22 goals and supplied 29 assists in 52 matches. It’s an extraordinarily good record and he’s not a one season wonder either.
Indeed, in 2024/25, the 24-year-old netted 21 times and registered 16 assists across 56 appearances. He may be doing it at a lower level but he knows where the back of the net is. Tzolis really is one of the most dangerous wide players in Europe right now.
Despite those numbers, it is certainly Rogers who would be the better signing, hence the potential £80m fee that Arsenal may have to pay this summer.
That might feel like an obvious thing to say but the Villa star’s numbers are certainly not as good as Tzolis’ over recent years. That said, the England international has been doing it at a higher level.
The winner of the PFA Young Player of the Year award for 2024/25 scored 14 goals and produced 16 assists during that campaign. Then, en route to winning the Europa League and securing Champions League football, the 23-year-old bagged another 14 and registered 12 assists.
While he may not be quite as prolific as Tzolis, he comes with the additional boon of not only being Premier League proven but also being immensely versatile.
While Arsenal would prefer to play him on the left side of the attack, his best position at Villa has been behind the striker. He’s a bit of an Eze in that regard.
Alas, if Arteta and Co are to spend big on a winger this summer, Rogers makes plenty of sense. He’s one of the best options they could possibly choose from. That doesn’t mean Tzolis would be a bad signing, however. Adding both of them could be just what the Gunners need to take their attack to the next level.