Sokratis ban adds to defender crisis as Arsenal chase Champions League finish

ARSENAL have been dealt a huge blow in the Premier League run in after Sokratis received a two-match-ban against Everton.

The Greek defender added to the Gunners' defensive woes when he was booked for a needless challenge on Dominic Calvert-Lewin despite the fact the forward was going nowhere.

Unai Emery's men are already struggling at the back and had to start the game with wing-back Nacho Monreal filling in at centre-half.

Things are so bad for the North-Londoners they even had to start Carl Jenkinson – who has started just one Premier League clash all season – on the bench at Goodison.

Laurent Koscielny, Rob Holding and Hector Bellerin are all out injured while another option Callum Chambers is on-loan at Fulham.

Koscielny was a late hope for the game at Everton and may return next time out but Holding and Bellerin are still recovering from long term injuries picked up earlier this season.

Bellerin picked up a horrific season-ending ACL injury against Chelsea in January while Holding ruptured his own ACL against Manchester United before Christmas.

The booking, Sokratis' tenth of the campaign, means the former Borussia Dortmund man receives a two-gam-ban and will miss Arsenal's key fixtures against Watford and Crystal Palace.

The Gunners are currently fourth in the table, just one point behind bitter rivals Tottenham, as they look to secure Champions League football for next season.

Four of Arsenal's remaining league games are away from home which will worry Unai Emery whose side have not kept a clean sheet away from The Emirates all season.

Fans also reacted furiously to the Sokratis card on Twitter given Arsenal's lack of options at the back, with many calling the challenge "braindead".

Sokratis is braindead. That yellow will alone cost ua top 4

SOKRATIS IS BRAINDEAD CONFIRMED

Thanks Sokratis. Sometimes he is as braindead as Mustafi

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