---
title: "Sokratis held talks with Arsenal stars before agreeing to move"
canonical: "https://readarsenal.com/2018/09/28/sokratis-held-talks-with-arsenal-stars-before-agreeing-to-move/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Luke Osman"
section: "Features"
published: "2018-09-28T18:27:08Z"
modified: "2018-09-28T18:27:08Z"
---

# Sokratis held talks with Arsenal stars before agreeing to move

Sokratis Papastathopoulos has revealed that Arsenal duo Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang played a big part in his decision to join the club.

The Greek international arrived from Borussia Dortmund in a deal believed to be worth £16 million as the Gunners aimed to add further defensive strength to the ranks.

Sokratis has since emerged as a mainstay in Unai Emery’s plans in his new role at Arsenal, with a favoured partnership of the experienced defender and Shkodran Mustafi on show.

As quoted by [Sky Sports](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11670/11511060/sokratis-papastathopoulos-says-unai-emery-needs-time-at-arsenal), the central defender insisted that he needed little convincing to put pen to paper on a deal at Arsenal, despite the encouragement from former Dortmund duo Mkhitaryan and Aubameyang.

![Henry Browne/Getty Images Sport](https://cdn.readeverything.co/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/1036646302.jpg)

> I spoke with Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and they convinced me that this is a club I have to choose.

> They gave me the feeling that I would be an important player here and that this club works to get better and better in the future. In the end, it wasn’t a hard decision to take.

Sokratis has started the season in an impressive manner and has added a calming influence to Arsenal’s back-line, helping them on their way in a recent excellent run of form.

The centre-back will hope to continue to flourish in the heart of Arsenal’s defence throughout his maiden campaign in English football.