Chris Sutton digs at Daniel Farke after what he saw from Christos Tzolis in Arsenal vs Coventry
Chris Sutton was left impressed by Christos Tzolis' Premier League debut for Arsenal as they began their season with a 3-0 win over Coventry City.
The 24-year-old was everywhere for the Premier League champions, playing a key part in goals for Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka before Martin Odegaard added a third after the break.
The Greece international arrived at the Emirates Stadium earlier this summer in a deal worth around £35million, and prompted excitement in pre-season.
Tzolis scored 22 goals and provided 29 assists across all competitions for Club Brugge last season, and he has further boosted excitement surrounding him after a superb competitive home debut.
Norwich City fans will be quick to remember that the winger remains their club-record signing, arriving for £10m in 2022.
After struggling to adapt and having experienced a difficult moment at the hands of Daniel Farke, Tzolis left the club in 2024.
Chris Sutton reminds Daniel Farke of big Christos Tzolis mistake
Tzolis arrived at Norwich in 2021 as a teenager in a completely new country and league.
He likely needed confidence and support, but found it hard to come by. There were signs of the talent - the winger scored two goals and provided two assists against Bournemouth on his Carabao Cup debut - but he was inconsistent.
In September, Tzolis stepped up to take a penalty against Liverpool in the next round and saw his effort saved.
Farke chose to hammer the teenager after the game, and said: "Believe me after I have spoken to him he will never do this mistake ever again in his life. He has apologised." "It cost us maybe a place in the next round," he added.
The winger never appeared to recover from such a public lambasting, but exploded into form after leaving the club on loan in 2023.
Watching Friday's game, Sutton wrote: "I wish Norwich City would have held onto Christos Tzolis a bit longer… he looks pretty lively!"
Tzolis' remarkable stats vs Coventry City
Arsenal have spent much of the summer looking for a new starting left-winger, with Tzolis seen as more of a squad player.
That verdict is struggling against the winger's displays, however, with Friday representing another superb performance.
Tzolis created three chances and took four shots in the game, possessing a remarkably decisive ability to get his cross or shot away quickly.
The 24-year-old also made a tackle, two clearances, three recoveries, won two free-kicks and won four duels.
While Farke's career has progressed well since his Norwich days, the case of Tzolis may be one he looks back on with regret.