WHO needs Vinicius Junior when you already have Christos Tzolis and Max Dowman?
Arsenal might already have two top wingers in their ranks that can shine as they look to earn back-to-back Premier League titles.
Christos Tzolis scored on his Arsenal debut as the Gunners beat Girona 4-1 Credit: Getty
Tzolis impressed on his first appearance Credit: Getty
Summer arrival Tzolis and Hale End graduate Dowman sparkled as Arsenal cruised past second-tier Spanish outfit Girona in their first pre-season friendly.
Tzolis cost £34m from Club Brugge last month, a fraction of what Arsenal would have to fork out for superstar Vinicius Jr if they do strike up a deal with Real Madrid.
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And, even though he is not anywhere near the Brazilian’s level in reality, the Greek ace certainly did enough to get the Arsenal fans excited about his arrival in Catalonia last night [SAT].
While Dowman is an unearthed academy gem – and the Gunners’ worst kept secret – that Arsenal can take pleasure in knowing cost them absolutely nothing.
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Both players were on the scoresheet during Arsenal’s 4-1 win over Girona at the Estadi Montivili, but it was more than just their goals that caught the eye.
Dowman’s silky footwork and delightful assist for Kai Havertz’ opener was simply sensational.
The 16-year-old spun on the ball and played through Havertz who tucked it into the bottom corner.
Tzolis, meanwhile, impressed with his constant pressing and desire to create.
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Max Dowman was a stand-out player for the Gunners and got a goal and an assist Credit: Getty
It was his tenacity that earned Arsenal their second goal, cutting in on his right foot from the left wing and drilling a low shot that deflected off Havertz and into the back of the net.
An early second-half headed goal from Arnau Martinez stunned Mikel Arteta’s men, who were in cruise control for the first 45 minutes.
But a little over two minutes later and Dowman had taken matters into his own hands, carrying the ball down the right flank before cutting in and drilling home a third for the visitors.
Substitute Gabriel Jesus also managed to get on the scoresheet amid his uncertain future, poking home a loose ball from Ben White after the right-back returned from his season-ending injury.
Elsewhere there were minutes of top academy prospects like Marli Salmon, Andre Harriman-Annous and Ceadach O’Neill amongst others.
Of course, Mikel Arteta will not truly be looking at Dowman and Tzolis as reasons not to pursue what would potentially be the biggest signing in Premier League history.
But without Gabriel Martinelli, Bukayo Saka, Ebere Eze and Noni Madueke, Arsenal look like they are still stacked with talent on the wings.
