Sokratis Papastathopoulos has been one notable absentee from the Arsenal team since the restart.
The Greek defender has never really impressed Mikel Arteta enough to earn a place in the Arsenal starting XI.
He was used as a right-back for the last few games before the suspension of the season and he has now struggled to get into the side as the Gunners have enough options in that position and he isn’t the kind of centre back that Arteta likes.
Recent reports claim that Mikel Arteta has told him that he can leave the Emirates (The Sun) as he is now surplus to requirements, but a few hours after that report made the rounds, it has now been refuted by a respected journalist.
Chris Wheatley has just Tweeted an update on the defenders’ future and he said that the former Borussia Dortmund man has a year left on his current deal and he will not be leaving the Emirates soon.
He Tweeted: “Sokratis hasn’t had any conversations with Arsenal/Arteta over his future. He was recently injured for 2 weeks. Has 1 more year on his contract and will be staying at the club. #AFC #Arsenal”
Sokratis will have a tough time getting to play at Arsenal next season, especially if the Gunners sign a new defender.
Looks like he is taking a page from Ozil’s book. We don’t want or need either one. The sooner they get the message the better.
I think he should be loaned out
Another unsellable “asset”.We can pick them.
Worst part is that we have so many unsellable “assets”. I count Luiz, Mustafi, Sokratis, Ozil, Mihkitaryan to that cathegory. Elneny might be sold but he is not likely to bring in much.
That is 5 senior players that will bring in close to nothing in transfer fees. Dark days when you consider that we have to sell players in order to buy players.
At least Luiz has experience and is allegedly good for the dressing room, the rest offer nothing
A good clear out is not as easy as it sounds especially with mediocre,old… players on good if not very good wages.the club,MA…they all know it needs to be done but it seems there is not much they can do if players don’t want to go!
During the winter transfer window,he said in an interview that at his age if he wasn’t playing or being wanted,he would move on now I am reading he will not move and run his contract what the heckl?I thought that playing was the most important thing for him at this stage of his career, that was about 6 months ago.
The real truth is that other teams are now looking to sign ball-playing CB’s with good composure on the ball – and the ability to play out of the press. SP’s skills are limited in these areas. As a result he will struggle to find a new team; RH is in the same position too. I fear our – deer caught in headlights moment – is just around the corner.