---
title: "Arsenal: Fans cannot believe Sokratis after defender’s red card"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/arsenal-fans-cannot-believe-sokratis-after-defenders-red-card/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Stephan Georgiou"
section: "Arsenal Football Club"
published: "2019-07-25T17:10:46Z"
modified: "2019-07-25T17:10:46Z"
---

# Arsenal: Fans cannot believe Sokratis after defender’s red card

**A rather chaotic first half between Arsenal and Real Madrid saw [two red cards](https://www.arsenal.com/fixture/arsenal/2019-Jul-23/real-madrid-2-2-arsenal-match-report) dished out by the referee before the interval – and with centre-back Sokratis following Real Madrid’s Nacho down the tunnel somewhat prematurely, the Greek defender was met with some scathing reviews from his own fans.**

Sokratis was penalised for clattering into Luka Modric late in the first period and earned his second caution in a matter of seconds in the process, after leaving the Ballon d’Or winner [in a heap](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xigR__FXGl0).

With the referee not in any mood to relax his application of the law in this pre-season friendly – having already sent off Nacho for a goal-saving [handball](https://www.arsenal.com/fixture/arsenal/2019-Jul-23/real-madrid-2-2-arsenal-match-report) – Sokratis was given his marching orders, and with it came similar undertones from a number of Arsenal fans.

The 31-year-old’s first season in English football since signing from [Borussia Dortmund](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44689557) was ill-disciplined to say the least – picking up 12 [yellow cards](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/sokratis/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/34322/plus/0?saison=&verein=11&liga=&wettbewerb=&pos=&trainer_id=) (two of which resulting in a [Europa League](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47474042) dismissal) and missing four games through [suspension](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/sokratis/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/34322/plus/0?saison=&verein=11&liga=&wettbewerb=&pos=&trainer_id=).

And it seems that some fans have seen enough of the defender – with his actions doing little to alleviate the concerns over the defence ahead of the new campaign – judging by the reaction from these supporters:

> Sokrates needs to play Hockey. What the hell is that hack still doing on the squad. He’s terrible!
>
> — Walt lehmann (@waltdog1) [July 23, 2019](https://twitter.com/waltdog1/status/1153814421690408968?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Can you please just leave him behind when you travel home?
>
> — Phillip Clausen (@PhillipClausen3) [July 23, 2019](https://twitter.com/PhillipClausen3/status/1153816949136035841?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> As much as I like Papa he picks up silly yellows all too often
>
> — Dav!d (@Oba\_Razzak) [July 24, 2019](https://twitter.com/Oba_Razzak/status/1153817270008684545?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Please address these defensive problems ASAP. PLEASE!
>
> — Łukasz (@iamtheluka) [July 23, 2019](https://twitter.com/iamtheluka/status/1153815581205753856?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> He’s a good defender but such a liability
>
> — #freetayk (@DenzoDB) [July 23, 2019](https://twitter.com/DenzoDB/status/1153816804852060160?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> I still can’t believe that I will be watching Sokratis and Mustafi in our defense, very uninspiring!
>
> — Punda Amechoka (@AmechokaPunda) [July 24, 2019](https://twitter.com/AmechokaPunda/status/1153855984101711872?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Dude never learns, plays like a mad man sometimes, going to cost us this game now.
>
> — Daniel Cole Ameh (@dbaba79) [July 24, 2019](https://twitter.com/dbaba79/status/1153824379479842816?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Holding can’t come back quick enough. Second coming of Adams/Keown through Holding/Chambers needed
>
> — Ross (@RW\_afc) [July 24, 2019](https://twitter.com/RW_afc/status/1153817109085880320?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Man tackles like he’s a tractor
>
> — Omo Ológo (@patrickuyoro) [July 23, 2019](https://twitter.com/patrickuyoro/status/1153816897214750720?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> You see why you can’t bank on Socratis???? He concedes too many meaningless fouls. You need to sign defenders ASAP.
>
> — Megan’s Dad (@FemiOmotee) [July 23, 2019](https://twitter.com/FemiOmotee/status/1153816030470234114?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)