Sokratis calls for Arsenal improvment – but the defender isn’t the answer

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Arsenal defender Sokratis has admitted the Gunners are currently lacking confidence, and has called for an improvement as 2019 draws to an end.

The club have gone five games without a win now, and the pressure has been mounting on manager Unai Emery.

Arsenal lie sixth in the table, but have lost ground on the top four.

2018 signing Sokratis said of the situation (official website): “The team needs confidence and calm to show the quality we have.

“It is a season that has a difficult moment, but we have still a lot of time and we need to improve, we need to play better and of course we have the time to do it. We also have the quality to do it.”

Up next for Emery’s north Londoners are struggling Southampton at the Emirates Stadium.

TBR’s view – Improvements can come without Sokratis

Ironically, the person calling for the improvements is a man who arguably should not be in the starting XI.

Greece international Sokratis has been a mainstay in defence this season under Emery, although he was benched for the 2-0 defeat against Leicester.

Realistically Emery needs to keep the 30-year-old out of the starting XI going forwards.

With the spotlight probably greater on summer signing David Luiz, Sokratis’ mediocrity has largely gone under the radar.

Unfortunately the defender lacks mobility and is also a bit too rash sometimes and it can lead to the invitation of pressure.

Rob Holding and Calum Chambers are better options and are far more composed and calm.