According to Sky Sports, as cited by Football Italia, Sokratis has been asked to decide Arsenal future amid Genoa links. The Serie A club has been linked with a move for the defender this January, but could turn their attention towards other alternatives should the former Borussia Dortmund star fail to make a decision over his potential switch to Italy by the end of this week.
Sokratis: More Than An Outcast At Arsenal
Much like Mesut Ozil, Sokratis has endured a rapid fall from grace at Arsenal over the past 12 months or so. Initially regarded as one of the club’s best centre-backs, Mikel Arteta’s arrival has seen him struggle with lack of chances in the first-team.
Indeed, the Greek international is a tactical misfit under the Arsenal manager due to his lack of quality on the ball. As a result, he has fallen behind the likes of Rob Holding, Gabriel Magalhaes, Pablo Mari, David Luiz and even Shkodran Mustafi in the pecking order. In fact, Sokratis was not even included in the club’s Premier League squad at the start of the season.
In addition to his lack of opportunities in the league, Sokratis is yet to feature in any competition for Arsenal this season. It is certainly unacceptable for a player for his calibre, and as the Gunners look to undergo a transition in the defensive unit, the experienced centre-back clearly doesn’t have any future at Emirates.
A Move To Genoa Makes Sense
While Sokratis’ decision to leave Arsenal should be a no-brainer, a move to Genoa could make even more sense for multiple reasons. The 32-year-old had played for that team for three years, before sealing a permanent switch to Werder Bremen in 2012. He has featured in 64 competitive matches during his time with La Superba.
Currently struggling in the Serie A in this ongoing campaign, Genoa have emerged as one of the leakiest sides in the league. The injuries to key defenders like Davide Biraschi and Cristian Zapata has been a part of the problem for Davide Ballardini’s side. So the Italian side could certainly use the services of someone like Sokratis.
The Arsenal star can offer some much-needed experience and leadership at the heart of the backline. His previous exposure in the Serie A should also help settle in quickly at the club. And more importantly, Genoa will be able to offer regular game-time for Sokratis, thus allowing him to potentially revive his career following a couple of disappointing years in north London.
