Arsenal have entered the post-Arsene Wenger era.
Unai Emery was announced as the club’s new head coach earlier this week and the club have already lined-up the first signing of his tenure. According to The Guardian, Arsenal are in talks to sign Stephan Lichtsteiner on a free transfer. Lichtsteiner’s contract with Juventus expires this summer, and Emery has reportedly targeted the Swiss full-back to become his first signing.
The 34-year-old has played over 250 times for Juventus and won the league title in each of his seven seasons with the Serie A side.
He has been a very consistent performer and would bring a wealth of experience to The Emirates. However, it’s possible some Arsenal fans may feel somewhat underwhelmed by the signing of a veteran full-back and may have been expecting more from the first transfer of the post-Wenger era.
Arsenal are working on a deal to sign Switzerland right-back Stephan Lichtsteiner on a free transfer when the 34-year-old’s Juventus contract expires this summer. Lichtsteiner a long-term target who #AFC see adding experience/leadership to head coach Unai Emery’s squad #Juve #SUI
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) May 25, 2018
Lichtsteiner’s arrival may also cast doubt on the future of Arsenal right-back Hector Bellerin – who has been linked with a move to Juventus. Or it’s possible Emery sees the player as a rotation option in his new squad.
The former Lazio defender is expected to captain Switzerland at the World Cup in Russia, where he will add to the 98 caps he has already won for his country. He has confirmed that he will leave Juventus this summer and play “abroad.”
He may not be what Arsenal fans had in mind, but Lichtsteiner could potentially prove a clever signing. He helped turn the game in Juventus’ favour when he came on against Tottenham in the Champions League and played over 30 club games a season during his time in Turin.
