The S*n is one of the most racist rags on the planet masquerading as a news outlet, that is not news itself, but it is long past time that clubs stood up to them and their latest disgusting headline is the perfect opportunity.

RENNES, FRANCE - MARCH 07:  Sokratis Papastathopoulos of Arsenal leaves the pitch after receiving a red card as his manager Unai Emery looks away during the UEFA Europa League Round of 16 First Leg match between Stade Rennais and Arsenal at Roazhon Park on March 07, 2019 in Rennes, France. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
RENNES, FRANCE – MARCH 07: Sokratis Papastathopoulos of Arsenal leaves the pitch after receiving a red card as his manager Unai Emery looks away during the UEFA Europa League Round of 16 First Leg match between Stade Rennais and Arsenal at Roazhon Park on March 07, 2019 in Rennes, France. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Sokratis’ red card against Rennes on Thursday night was undoubtedly the catalyst for Arsenal’s collapse. Yes, the defender was stupid but an argument would have been made it was an incredibly harsh second yellow (looked more like a foul on him and a similar incident was waved away in the box later) had Arsenal not self-destructed so spectacularly.

This, it seems, was the opportunity The S*n had been waiting for to wheel out their ‘dirty Greek’ strain of racism, so that’s exactly what they did.

https://twitter.com/ChrisWheatley_/status/1103958295252033537

For those who aren’t quite sure why this might be ‘problematic’, to say the least, rather than explain it to you I suggest you take some time away from the internet to examine your own bigotry and racism.

I originally saw the S*n’s article blaming Sokratis on Twitter but, as I didn’t open it, I didn’t realise it was this bad. I initially thought they were just singling him out, as they like to do, making an entire season come down to one incident in one match by one player which is the height of absurdity.

That would have been bad enough.

But it was worse than that.

It was blatant, undisguised and unapologetic racism.

Arsenal, along with other clubs in the Premier League, need to grow a spine and start saying enough is enough.