PORTSMOUTH, ENGLAND - MARCH 02: Sokratis Papastathopoulos of Arsenal celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the FA Cup Fifth Round match between Portsmouth FC and Arsenal FC at Fratton Park on March 02, 2020 in Portsmouth, England. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)

Arsenal tell Sokratis they aren’t counting on him but exit options run low

Oct 3, 2020

Sokratis Papastathopoulos knows Arsenal aren’t counting on him for this season, but his options are diminishing as the window winds down.

Arsenal's Greek defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos pleads with Referee Graham Scott after receiving a yellow card during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Brighton and Hove Albion at the Emirates Stadium in London on December 5, 2019. (Photo by Ben STANSALL / AFP) — Arsenal’s Greek defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos pleads with Referee Graham Scott on December 5, 2019. (Photo by Ben STANSALL / AFP)

Greek Sportime journalist Antonis Tsirakis reports that Arsenal informed Sokratis he isn’t in their plans for the coming season, but his options are diminishing by the day.

Everton reportedly made contact with the centre-back, but the Premier League club are now looking at Norwich City’s Ben Godfrey. Napoli were a serious option, but it fell through due to Kalidou Koulibaly remaining in Italy.

Tsirakis reports that there’s still a proposal on the table from the UAE. Sokratis isn’t crazy about the idea, but it would certainly meet his expectations financially.

The problem is that we’re approaching the very real possibility that someone gets left out of Arsenal’s Premier League squad. Right now, Arsenal are two non-homegrown players overstocked, and bringing in Houssem Aouar or Thomas Partey makes it worse.

Lucas Torreira is likely to leave, as is Sead Kolasinac, but if Sokratis doesn’t and Aouar joins, Arsenal have to exclude someone – possibly two players.

I’m certainly not saying it will be Sokratis, but it could be given his recent spell out of the team. That’s a risk he’s taking by choosing to stay, so it’s a tough decision for him.