Arsenal: Sokratis the sensible falling short of ideal

Arsenal are nearing the signing of Sokratis Papastathopulos. He is not the ideal, complete centre-half. But at the reported price of £15 million, he’s a sensible falling short of perfect.

Arsenal need centre-half help. There are few people that you will find disagreeing with that statement.  However, it must be the right help. While there is a serious need for investment at the position, with a blossoming core of young prospects, it must not irresponsible spending that simply clogs the progression of others.

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That leads me to the name on everyone’s lips as the Gunners proposed individual to solve their centre-half deficiencies: Sokratis Papastathopulos.

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The Greek defender, who has plied his trade at Borussia Dortmund since 2013 and slowly amassed quite the resume under first Jurgen Klopp and then Thomas Tuchel alongside Neven Subotic, has peaked the interested of the Gunners, and likely Sven Mislintat in particular, the new Head of Recruitment at the Emirates who was Dortmund’s Chief Scout for several years before moving to England, and is now the subject of a reported £15 million deal.

Is Sokratis the answer, though, to Arsenal’s defensive problems, especially at centre-half? Well, I’m not sure that he is. He has made an increasing number of individual errors in recent years, has not developed from the talent that he showed when he first arrived in Dortmund, and has been a large reason for the team’s loose defensive record this season. While there are many who will be enamoured simply because he is a name, his performances have not lived up to the standard that offers a significant upgrade over what is already in the squad.

Having said all of that, sometimes, while never ideal, falling short of perfect is necessary. I believe that Sokratis is a prime example of that.

Is Sokratis the best centre-half that Arsenal could potentially sign this summer? No. I can think of two or three immediate players off the top of my head that are better players and ages than the Greek. But does that mean he is a poor signing? Absolutely not, especially for £15 million.

And the price is even more significant when the limited transfer funds available are factored in. The club is reportedly set to only have £50 million in funds plus whatever is sold. In today’s vastly inflated market, that is not a lot of cash to work with. Being able to partially solve one of the key areas of the squad for such a cheap price suddenly becomes invaluable under those financial pressures.

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Sokratis is not the ideal player to sign this summer. But in such is the price, in falling short of the ideal, he is still a sensible acquisition.