Arsenal’s defensive headache will continue for a couple of weeks after Sokratis Papastathopoulos picked up a yellow card against Everton.
The booking for the Greece international means Unai Emery’s summer signing will face a two-game suspension after hitting ten for the campaign, which will be a major concern for the club.
Emery’s side face a scrap with Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United and Chelsea in a hunt for a top-four finish and the Champions League football that comes with it, so Sokratis’ absence may prove to be decisive.
With Laurent Koscielny battling injury and Rob Holding out for the season, the news that Sokratis will miss two crucial games during the final weeks of the Premier League season could be significant.
It means Sokratis will not be available for the trip to face Watford next week, where Arsenal play in the Monday night slot, which is expected to be another difficult away game for the Gunners.
Sokratis’ will serve the second game of his suspension the following week against Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium, which is Arsenal’s penultimate home match of the season.
Fortunately, the former Borussia Dortmund defender’s suspension only applies to Premier League matches so he will be available for the Europa League quarter-final clashes with Napoli.
However, there is some good news for Emery.
The Gunners will be boosted by the return of Lucas Torreira from suspension next week, as the clash with Watford is the last game of his three-match ban.
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