Sokratis Papastathopoulos says he expected to start every game for Arsenal when he joined from Borussia Dortmund this summer, as he’s aiming to be an important part of Unai Emery’s defensive jigsaw.
The Greek international has done just that in the Premier League, and although he had to come off against Everton with a dead leg, he’s fit and ready to face Watford at the Emirates tomorrow.
Speaking to Sky Sports, the 30 year old also believes that a top four finish and success in one of the cup competitions would represent a good season for what he says is ‘one of the biggest clubs in the world.’
“I expected to start every game because I came here to be an important player for the team, and I’m very happy about this,” he said, before revealing the role his former Borussia Dortmund teammates had in his move to North London.
“I spoke with Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and they convinced me that this is a club I have to choose.
“They gave me the feeling that I would be an important player here and that this club works to get better and better in the future.
“In the end it wasn’t a hard decision to take.”
Sokratis called for the new boss to be given time as we move into the post-Wenger era, and on this current campaign, he said, “To take one of the first four positions, this is our point.
“And also why not win one cup or to go to the final of the Europa League?”
Why not indeed. And while we’re in the final, let’s win it.
Good idea.
Yes.
No nonsense player! Love a bit of Papa already.
“He loves it when they call him big papa,
Put your hands in the air, for he’s a good player”
Love that foul on Theo last week.
Let MEN be MEN.
Nailed on started at CB at the moment. Stay fit and Sok it to them Papa.
As i said as soon as we signed him…there may be better CB than Sokratis BUT these must be worth 4-5 times of what we paid. For 16m this might prove to be a real value for money transfer…
oh, why would you expect that, you only play when the manager tells you to, and not before
You’re a pillock
Sheer optimism this guy
Well, really the mentality should be you’ll start every game so that you are ready when the manager calls on you.
I like his attitude and what I’ve seen from him on the pitch so far.
I wonder what Tres is thinking now……..
Marcus Trescothick?
Had my doubts about this guy but so far he’s getting better by the week. Which is good when you consider who usually plays next to him.
He is certainly starting to look the part
I think we could still have done better last summer. That said, Sokratis experience is coming in handy. I like the fact he isn’t afraid to take people (Mustafi) to task. It will be good for the German as well. Mustaafi’s faults are amplified by people who are looking for them. If he can cut out the one or two mistakes (which Monreal, Guendouzi, Torreira and even Sokratis do as well), he will be an excellent defender. BUT our defense must start from midfield’s relation with the top end. We are still letting too many shots at goal. The ever… Read more »
Yawn…..
Does Roque Junior still play? Can we sign him so we can have the Roq and Sok connection at the back?
So we can rock watfords socks off?
Brilliant value for £16mill, seems very quick, powerful and good in the air