Arsenal: The top three must-sell players

2. Sokratis

The only centre-back more ideal to sell than Shkodran Mustafi is Sokratis. The reasons in favour are very much the same.

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He has been relegated to almost last choice among the potential options — perhaps only Dinos Mavropanos and Rob Holding are below him in the pecking order, and even then both offer tangible long-term potential which Sokratis offers nothing of.  He is not very good, especially in possession, which is extremely important in Arteta’s system.

He is also expensive, earning £92,000 per week. He has just a year remaining on his contract meaning this is the last chance that Arsenal can ‘cash in’ on his services. Realistically, they will do well to get more than £5-10 million.

The difference between Mustafi and Sokratis is age and fit. Mustafi is four years Sokratis junior and has proven that he can play at a high level in Arteta’s system. Sokratis is disastrous at centre-back and not much better at right-back. With others waiting in the wings, it is time to move on. And fast.