Despite Arsenal going through somewhat of a defensive crisis, one player who continues to impress supporters is Sokratis Papastathopoulos.
The Greek international, who was signed from Borussia Dortmund for £17.6m in the summer, has looked commanding and assured, while the players around him have changed by the week.
Following on from his performance against Burnley on Saturday, fans on Twitter were all praising Sokratis:
Stronger than Zeus
— Syafiq (@iAmPrinceSyafiq) 23 December 2018
This guy is a beast
— Ozil is a legend (@peter_spinny) 24 December 2018
Greek god spotted in North London
— Charlotte H (@Charlotte_halll) 24 December 2018
I swear he needs a partner to make it a solid defense??
— king_fahm (@holadhayo) 24 December 2018
Sokratis real worrier what he need is someone as good next to him.
— Stanley Gore (@StanleyGore10) 23 December 2018
Make this man captain already! Has all the right ingredients.
— Henryan (@charlesambetsa) 23 December 2018
Best last ditch tackle I’ve seen in a long time
— James McCormack (@JMMcCormack) 23 December 2018
Solid steel at the back??
— MD (@Maxi__07) 23 December 2018
Captain material ♥️ #coyg?⚪
— Siddharth (@Siddharth6125) 23 December 2018
Love this man. Gives everything & that’s all you can ask.
— Pat Duggan (@pat_duggan25) 23 December 2018
He's pretty good for his first season
— 〽??? ¥ (@maclizy2) 23 December 2018
With Nacho Monreal having to go off injured at the weekend, and with Hector Bellerin and Shkodran Mustafi also struggling with fitness issues, the backline against Brighton on Wednesday may have an unfamiliar feel to it.
Laurent Koscielny may come back into the side, with Sead Kolasinac and Ainsley Maitland-Niles looking to take up fullback duties once again as Unai Emery likely has no choice but to field a four-man backline.
The Gunners boss has preferred three at the back in recent weeks but the lack of defensive options has forced him into a rethink.
