Arsenal fans were loving the volley scored by central defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos to open the scoring against League One side Portsmouth in the FA Cup round-of-sixteen last night.
After the ball was cleared from a Gunners corner in the last minute of stoppage time at the end of the first half, winger Reiss Nelson dribbled back into a crossing position and provided the assist for the Greek centre-back to volley home (video via BBC).
Sokratis was playing at right-back in place of the rested Hector Bellerin in one of nine changes made by Mikel Arteta after Thursday night’s UEFA Europa League exit to Greek champions Olympiacos at the Emirates.
The Gunners bounced back to knock out Pompey and book their place in the FA Cup quarter-final draw on Friday. Sokratis helped the north-London team get there and fans were quick to applaud his volley on Twitter:
Great goal from Sokratis a wonderful volley at the near post. Sheer quality that Aubameyang would have been proud of! A great riposte from The Gunners after suffering a miserable first half by their standards #PORARS #COYG
— GoonerRocky (@GoonerRocky) March 2, 2020
Super finish from Sokratis. The speed on both that delivery & volley. JHEEZE! 😱 1-0 to the Arsenal 💛💙
— JA〽️IE | 🤜🏻🤛🏾 🔴⚪️ (@JamieMitchAFC) March 2, 2020
I won’t find much support for this I’m sure but I love Sokratis and wish we could find a place for him in the team more regularly. That volley 👀
— TalkingArsePodcast 💙 (@TalkingArse) March 3, 2020
https://twitter.com/ArtetaVintage/status/1234598925270765568
Sokratis's brilliant Volley https://t.co/pUex1xEc5l
— Kartik O 🏏⚽🔗 (@KOCricket528) March 2, 2020
What a volley by Sokratis Papastathapolous on the stroke of half-time! #FACup
— James Lokwale, FKIB (@JamesLokwale) March 2, 2020
Arsenal fans, how much did you enjoy that volley from Papa? Comment below.
