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Sokratis explains where Arsenal must improve ahead of Tottenham clash

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Arsenal star Sokratis Papastathopoulos is looking forward to the north London derby (Picture: Getty)

Sokratis Papastathopoulos believes Arsenal must improve their finishing and ball possession ahead of next weekends north London derby.

Arsenal bounced back from three consecutive draws with a 2-1 victory away to Bournemouth, but Unai Emery admitted that he wants more from his players after a lacklustre performance at Dean Court.

The Gunners form has dipped significantly following an 11-game winning streak stretching from August to October but they are still only one point behind Chelsea in fifth.

Arsenal will go level in the table with Tottenham should they defeat Mauricio Pochettinos men at the Emirates and Sokratis is confident that his side will make improvements.

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We are around 70 to 80 per cent. Of course we need to improve, of course we would like to put Arsenal in the top teams in the Premier League – we try every day for this, the Greek defender said after Sundays win.

We need to improve sometimes to not lose the ball or when we have the ball to finish the action and score.

The centre-back joined from Borussia Dortmund in the summer (Picture: Getty)

That is the difference, we need to improve and we know this. We work every day and I am happy that I am part of a team that works very good together.

We have confidence but it is not easy, we know. Next week is very important, it is good this week that we didnt lose points because we go next week full of confidence and we will see.

Our focus is on (being one of) the best four teams.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored Arsenals winner at Bournemouth (Picture: Getty)

Sokratis insists Arsenal are approaching the north London derby like they would any other Premier League match.

Of course it will be a very important game for the next games – but I dont think it is a game that can give you the Champions League, he added.

For example, if we win against Tottenham and lose some other games, it is the same thing.

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For me, it is very important that in every game we look different, win every game, we go for the win in every game and in the end we will see how it is going.

But of course Tottenham is a very important game.

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