Arsenal defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos hopes fans recognise the sacrifices he makes for the team.

For many supporters, the Greek has become a cult hero since his move from Borussia Dortmund last summer.

"My work is to defend and to do everything to help the team," he said.

"If this means sometimes I have to take a yellow card or do something that is not so good for me but not good for the team, then I will do it.

"I hope the fans love and understand it. Football is not only a lot of good things that they like to see - technical things, strategy - you have to do a lot of different things to win."

Facing Arsenal in the Europa League final this week, Sokratis admits: "If we win this it will be the biggest profile of trophy that I have won in my life. It would mean a lot to be back in the Champions League too.

"When I came from Borussia to come here I did it because I wanted to play in the Champions League with Arsenal. We have to do everything to be there."