Sokratis Papastathopoulos ‒ (Retired)

[paokarag4]

It seems not all are excited about his move to Arsenal

http://www.goal.com/en/news/sokratis-can-help-arsenals-defensive-philosophy-but-is-the-wrong-/69cfgo1lsnls1x9c1ib066rds

[Brklyngrk]

He had an off year, different coach, different system...harshly criticized....

[PanagiotisScordis]

Apparently the deal has been agreed for £16 million, and that Sokratis will be an Arsenal player by the end of this weekend. 

[Dean97]

I heard next month he will be an Arsenal player... 

https://www.google.com.au/amp/s/www.express.co.uk/sport/football/971660/Arsenal-transfer-news-Sokratis-Papastathopoulos-deal-agreed-highlights-video/amp

Edited June 9, 2018 by Dean97

[georgelaz]

thing that's pissing me off is Arsenal is trying to get the young tourko cb soyuncu. as soon as toprak came to dortmund sokratis didn't play as well - don't think it's a coicidence. he played great with hummels and bartra

they should get manolas as well. obviously sokratis's is a professional and will do his best but I think for chemistry purposes manolas would be way better and i'm not sure that mavropanos is ready to be a regular.

[Argy]

Why not go after Kyriakos Papadopoulos for some chemistry with Sokratis and depth at CB at a serious bargain with huge upside?

[Dutch Eagle]

It’s official now: https://www.onsports.gr/podosfairo/story/600430/episimo-stin-arsenal-me-epiko-vinteo-o-papastathopoylos

Great vid too!

[Ellada2004]

Good for Sokratis on going to arsenal, he will get the exposure he deserves.

[Argy]

I didn't see the game, Arsenal won 8-0 but fans were trashing Sok on Twitter saying he's too slow. Very upsetting reading all these clowns' comments. People don't understand that this is practice for a CB and he's not gonna out there and kill himself in a pre-season match in July. Hopefully he shuts everyone's mouth soon. 

I hate to play this card, but I truly believe him being Greek attracts a lot of hate from foreign fans and they almost want him to fail.

[georgelaz]

On 7/16/2018 at 2:30 AM, Argy said:

I didn't see the game, Arsenal won 8-0 but fans were trashing Sok on Twitter saying he's too slow. Very upsetting reading all these clowns' comments. People don't understand that this is practice for a CB and he's not gonna out there and kill himself in a pre-season match in July. Hopefully he shuts everyone's mouth soon. 

I hate to play this card, but I truly believe him being Greek attracts a lot of hate from foreign fans and they almost want him to fail.

I wish he'd gone to liverpool instead. Arsenal fans are pretty bad in general. Liverpool could win the title this year too and they're shaky with Lovren.

Edited July 21, 2018 by georgelaz

[paokarag4]

Starting today in Arsenal's season opener at home against Man city. 

Tough assignment first up, we'll see how he goes but wouldn't be surprised to see Arsenal lose by 2-3 goals

[Ellada2004]

I thought Sokratis put in a good performance today but Arsenal are not a good side. Ozil by far the worst player today he had horrible touch and passing the ball and scuffed a great chance in the box. 

[Argy]

It's tricky to judge anyone's individual performance, including the club as a whole versus a powerhouse like Manchester City. They are a level above anyone else in the PL and Arsenal will not be facing such a talented, organized and fluid side every week. All things considered, Sok was very solid today. Goals were not on him, did a good job marking Aguero out of the game, and already looks like a leader vocally and through example at the back. Expecting him only to get more comfortable with the new system and his teammates in the next few weeks. Tough task vs Chelsea next week. Sould be interesting.

[paokarag4]

Another full 90 for him in the 3-2 away loss to Chelsea. Reading some match reports and player ratings, he seems to have been their best defender last night. Scoring 6's and 6.5's for the most part. In a team that conceded 3 that's not bad. Rumblings about his lack of pace continues but he seems to be slowly winning over some fans.

Arsenal should've won the game based on chances, missed some real sitters, especially in the first half. 

[Argy]

Arsenal fans are the most obnoxious I've ever seen. Most of them had their mind made up on Sokratis before he hit the pitch and are looking for anything to reinforce their prejudice. They played Man City and Chelsea. Couldn't have asked for a more difficult first two games while he is still in the midst of getting comfortable; Best team in PL Man City and London rival powerhouse Chelsea. He has been very good. The players around him, including his midfield have not helped whatsoever as they got outplayed in both games. His partner, Mustafi, does not make things easier either as Sokrati is clearly the better of the two. Their comments on lack of pace, they really don't know what they are talking about. His robust style of play make fans that don't know much about him assume that he is slow, which is quite the opposite, as he was considered one of the quickest CBs in the Bundesliga. Most fans just read the misinformation on twitter and reiterate it without knowing much. Has he slowed down? Maybe a bit, I don't know. Maybe not. They call him old, yet he just turned 30 in June, which is prime for a CB. Like I said, obnoxious and they don't seem to rate players from Greece, which doesn't help their opinions. Paokarag4, you are right though, the mature, educated Arsenal fan is getting won over by two solid performances in the toughest of circumstances. 

[georgelaz]

there was a chat I saw on IG and it had top speeds of arsenal players. sokratis was third behind aubamayang and bellerin. It was only 2 years ago he outpaced Ronaldo I doubt he got that slow. I think people are just stereotyping because of his strength that he's slow. I didn't see any plays in which Sokratis was outpaced really so don't get where these kids are getting these facts.

[Argy]

Sokratis had an astounding match on Saturday in Arsenal's 2-1 win vs Newcastle; His best yet. He is winning over his naysayers that did not believe he would be an impact signing. Sentiment on Twitter, for example, that was unjustly overly negative amongst Arsenal supporters at the beginning of the season, has almost completely shifted. 

[kbxk508]

Looks like he picked up a knee injury vs Everton https://www.arsenal.com/news/team-news

[Argy]

Yea he picked it up by cleaning up a mess of a play created by his partner Mustafi. Unai Emery says it's actually his knee. Waiting for the doctors' verdict right now. 

[Boxou]

thankfully it's nothing serious.

[Argy]

2 hours ago, Boxou said:

thankfully it's nothing serious.

Yup. Word just got out that he will likely be back on Saturday versus Watford. 

[Dutch Eagle]

Just scored the opener for Arsenal in the game against Qarabag in EL. 

[Argy]

Another great game and his first goal at Arsenal. He also became the first player to score since 1996 that hasn't played a competitive match under Arsene Wegner.

[paokarag4]

Good game for him overnight in Arsenal's 3-1 win to Burnely. Had a physical match up with Ashely Barnes and took no backwards steps (as we know he doesn't mind a scrap) Had a few crucial last ditch challenges as well when it looked liked Burnely was getting away. Getting mainly 7's and 8's from the sites giving player ratings. 
His no-non sense style is really starting to endear him to the fans. Bravo Sokrati, keep it up

[Argy]

He's doing great. One of the best CB in the EPL at the moment.