Arsenal centre-half lauds ‘perfect’ Liverpool superstar Virgil van Dijk

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Arsenal centre-back Sokratis Papastathopoulos has praised Ballon d’Or runner-up Virgil van Dijk, describing his 2019 as ‘perfect’.

The pair have experienced footballing years at the opposite end of the spectrum in 2019, with Sokratis enduring the malaise that has hampered Arsenal’s recent efforts to return to the summit of English football.

Netherlands captain Van Dijk, however, has gone from strength to strength, with his trophy cabinet bolstered with the additions of a Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup, among numerous individual awards.

The defenders union was out in full force recently, when the Greek defender spoke to Arsenal’s official website regarding Liverpool’s defensive talisman.

Sokratis told Arsenal.com: “What Virgil van Dijk did last year was something very difficult for every defender to do.

“Last year for him was perfect, especially for all the people close to him who helped him a lot.

“To be one of the best defenders, you need to have everything to be complete.

“It’s about focusing on the game very well, pace, power, technique also, to control the game from behind.”

Speaking of the Dutchman’s performances last season, he added: “[Van Dijk] was very good, and it was a good year for him.

Despite the dutchman’s colossal performances, Barcelona’s Lionel Messi once again claimed the prestigous Ballon d’Or award, with Van Dijk finishing second.

The gong has not gone to a defender since World Cup-winning captain Fabio Cannavaro received the prize in 2006, something Sokratis believes is indicative of the modern game.

“With the way football is going in front, especially when everybody thinks about offensive players and how they can score more,” said the Arsenal man.

“I think the defenders need to start getting more credit.”

Meanwhile, Brendan Rodgers has addressed the transfer talk surrounding Liverpool’s on-loan star Harry Wilson.

The Leicester boss spoke about making additions to the Foxes squad in January and described the Welsh midfielder as a “fantastic talent.”