Arsenal: Christos Tzolis reveals what lengths he went to in preparation for £34m transfer | OneFootball

Tzolis gets a second chance in the Premier League after joining the champions

The Greek winger has joined the Gunners from Club Brugge for £34million, signing a five-year contract.

It comes after two superb seasons in Belgium and Tzolis now gets a second crack at the Premier League, having struggled earlier in his career when at Norwich.

Tzolis emerged as a surprise target for Arsenal earlier in the transfer window, particularly when it became clear Leandro Trossard was set to leave the club.

He said: "I had 27 days of holidays, not full holidays - I worked also to be ready because I heard the rumours, so I said I need to be ready!

"I need to be in good shape and fit. So I worked hard also during the summer. Then I did preparation already with Brugge for two weeks, so I'm quite fit to start here."

Tzolis added: "It's absolutely amazing to sign for such a big club, the champions of England. I'm very proud to be part of this team for the next season.

"When my agent was saying maybe it was a possibility, I was already excited. Afterwards it was getting more serious and now I'm here.

"I had a nice conversation [with Mikel Arteta]. It was around an hour. We talked about everything, about the club, about myself, about his plans, about me of course, about the team. It was only positive things."

Christos Tzolis played against Arsenal last season

PA

Tzolis played against Arsenal last season when at Club Brugge, a match Arteta's side won 3-0 in the Champions League.

The winger scored 22 goals and registered 29 assists in all competitions but that was one of the few matches in which he was kept quiet.

"I love to watch football, I know everything about the Premier League, I know everything about Arsenal," he said.

"I watched so many games this year and especially we played against each other. I can say it was the most difficult team to attack against that I’ve played so far.

"We played against other big teams, but against Arsenal, we had the most difficulties to make clear chances."

Tzolis won the Belgian Pro League with Brugge last season and also won the player of the year award to go with it.

He is eyeing more silverware at Arsenal, though his first challenge will be to force his way into the starting lineup on a regular basis.

"My targets are to win titles, of course," Tzolis said.

"I think for everybody the target is there, as many as possible. And to have as much as possible game time with the team, then the rest will come, I'm sure about that.

"So for me the most important is to settle well in the team, have a good feeling, play as much as possible and then we'll be very good, I believe."