5 ways Sokratis Papastathopoulos will improve Arsenal FC

#4 Attacking threat

1. FSV Mainz 05 v Borussia Dortmund - Bundesliga

Sokratis is a player who isn't afraid to use his physicality to his advantage. This extends to the offensive side of the game as well. He is able to win a majority of headers and is an attacking threat during set pieces. He is a decent passer of the ball and can be ambitious at times, taking shots from outside the box.

Although he hasn’t scored more than two goals in a single campaign in his career, Sokratis has scored at least one league goal in each of his seven seasons in the Bundesliga (the Greek international scored on two occasions in both 2016/17 and 2017/18). A total of 15 attempts on goal last season – seven of which, curiously, were from outside the box – was more than Shkodran Mustafi (13) and Laurent Koscielny (nine) managed, but fewer than Nacho Monreal (22).

Furthermore, Arsenal scored 16 goals from set plays in the 2017/18 season, more than any other team. With skilled set piece takers like Mesut Özil and Henrikh Mkhitaryan in his team, the Greek international will hope to contribute to the team offensively as well.