Arsenal Star Reveals He Could Force Exit In The Summer If His Playing Time Doesn’t Increase

Arsenal Star Reveals He Could Force Exit In The Summer If His Playing Time Doesn’t Increase

Arsenal centre-back Sokratis Papastathopoulos has spoken candidly about his future following a rare start against Portsmouth in the FA Cup on Monday night.

The Greek international’s current deal at the Gunners expires in 2021, but when asked whether he would leave at the end of next season after his contract ends, the defender said he could well leave this summer if he isn’t getting the playing time he needs:


“I don’t know. I have one more year here but me, I never sit on my contract. I don’t care. If I’m not happy, I don’t play enough or the coach doesn’t like me, I don’t care about the contract. For me the money is not important, it is important I feel good, I feel happy and the team is happy with me. If not, I take the road and I finish.”

“I don’t think about it, I think every day to be happy and help the team and in the end we will see but what I say is that I am not a player who sits on a contract – I don’t need it.”

Sokratis has not started a Premier League match since the 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace in January. When he has been given game time in the FA Cup and the Europa League, head coach Mikel Arteta has more often than not opted to play him out of position at right-back in place of Hector Bellerin.

The 31-year-old did get on the scoresheet versus Pompey but whether that will be enough for him to feature against West Ham this Saturday, we shall have to wait and see.