Christos Tzolis has barely unpacked his bags at Arsenal, yet the questions about Vinicius Jr are already circling. The Greek winger, who completed a £34 million move from Club Brugge this summer, insists he is not distracted by speculation linking the Brazilian star to the same position at the Emirates.

"Obviously I'm confident as a player, so I don't think about the future and what the club will do in this position," Tzolis told Sky Sports from Arsenal's pre-season camp in Spain. "It's up to me to show the qualities and what I can bring to the team. I'm pretty confident that I will show it in the next games."

That confidence was already visible on his Arsenal debut against Girona in Catalonia, when Tzolis drove at his defender, cut inside, and slotted the ball into the bottom corner via a slight deflection — a statement of intent from a player who recorded 51 goal contributions in 52 appearances for Brugge last season.

The 'Leonidas' of Arsenal's pre-season

Tzolis arrived at Arsenal's training base in peak physical condition, having already completed two weeks of pre-season work with Club Brugge before making the switch. That head start showed — he finished first among all players in a demanding 1.4km fitness test, which consists of repeated 20-metre, 40-metre, and 60-metre shuttle runs at full pace, each distance completed five times.

The performance earned the 24-year-old a memorable nickname from one of Arsenal's fitness coaches: 'Leonidas' — after the Gerard Butler character in the film 300.

"So far I'm first in the fitness test. It's pretty hard," said Tzolis, careful to note that not every player had yet completed the challenge. "I came here ready, my fitness level — and I was happy that I could show it here as well."

The Leonidas reference carries an extra layer of meaning. In ancient Greek history, Leonidas was the King of Sparta who led a small force against an overwhelming Persian army — a detail that aligns neatly with a player who has built his game around determination rather than imposing physique. Tzolis also steps in as the direct successor to the departed Leandro Trossard, another 'Leo', who left for Besiktas this summer.

Villa, Sanchez, and the No 17 shirt

Ask Tzolis about his playing style and two names come up quickly: David Villa and Alexis Sanchez. He draws a physical and tactical parallel to Villa — another forward who operated from the left as an inside forward rather than a traditional wide winger.

"His body style is similar to mine. We are not the tallest as strikers but in finishing terms, he was top level," said Tzolis. "I'm not saying I'm the level of David Villa but we have some similarities. He was an inside forward — a left pocket player who always went for goals. I see myself like this."

The link to Sanchez, meanwhile, extends beyond style. Tzolis has taken the No 17 shirt at Arsenal — the same number the Chilean wore after joining the club in 2014. He insists the choice was practical rather than symbolic, but admits the parallel is not lost on him.

"Alexis Sanchez had No 17 — so I hope I will have the same success," he said.

Eyes on a title defence

Tzolis joins an Arsenal side chasing a piece of history: no Gunners team has retained the top-flight title since Herbert Chapman guided the club to successive championships in the 1930s.

Having previously joined Club Brugge just after they claimed the Belgian title, only to see the club fall short the following season, Tzolis carries relevant experience — and a clear philosophy on what it takes to defend a championship.

"To defend a title I think you don't have to think about it," he said. "It's more or less more difficult for the other teams because the pressure is there, not on the team who won the title."

What has struck him most about life at Arsenal is the intensity that runs through every session, from gym work to recovery. Manager Mikel Arteta has told him to play exactly as he did at Brugge — with freedom, directness, and an appetite for goal. For a player who thrives on that licence, the stage at the Emirates could not be better set.