‘It’s my time’: Christos Tzolis fighting fit for Arsenal on return to…

The £34m signing from Club Brugge says he is a more complete player now after an indifferent time at Norwich

For any Arsenal fan eager to know what Christos Tzolis might bring to the Premier League champions, the winger’s swiftly earned nickname at his new club might prove instructive. In the 2006 action film 300, the leading figure of King Leonidas guides a meagre bunch of Spartans against an overwhelmingly large invading army. Although doomed by the vast numerical disadvantage, Leonidas’s courage, determination and strength inspires his troops far beyond their means. It is his name that Arsenal’s fitness coaches have given their new Greek. chickenroad.qpon

Within a week of his £34m move from Club Brugge, Tzolis had made himself conspicuous at Arsenal’s training ground by acing a host of pre-season tests, topping the charts in one particular fitness challenge that involves players running more than a kilometre over varying intervals. Modesty forbids him from revealing the remainder of his physical results but, with a smile, he concedes they were “good”.

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UEFA says it is considering legal action against FIFA president Gianni Infantino and others involved in the now-withdrawn plan to sell a stake in the World Cup to American private equity interests. Infantino shelved the plans after a threatened boycott of FIFA competitions by three of the six football confederations. And now there are calls for him to step down, with a number of candidates, including the Canadian Victor Montagliani, emerging to challenge him in a leadership battle.

The FA will send a letter to FIFA confirming it no longer backs Infantino for a fourth term, following its earlier endorsement.

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The move adds to pressure on Infantino amid a crisis‑hit tenure, with Finland already withdrawing support and other European associations expected to follow.