New signing Stephan Lichtsteiner says he was attracted to Arsenal because there’s a clear project as the club look to get back into the Champions League and start challenging for the title again.
The Gunners finished in 6th place last season, 37 points behind the champions Man City, so there’s a long way to go, but the history and the potential to improve have brought the experienced Swiss international to North London.
He’s the first signing of new head coach Unai Emery, and he outlined his reasons for joining to the official website.
“There is a project,” he said. “There is a project to come back into the Champions League.
“I think it’s hard to see a club like Arsenal not playing in the Champions League. If you see the players, if you see the club, the stadium – it’s the project, the big opportunity to get back to the highest level.
“It’s a new moment. Wenger went and now everything is a bit new, so it’s a big challenge.”
He also touched on how much he was looking forward to working with the Spaniard and bringing the wealth of his knowledge to the squad.
“He’s a very good coach who’s won a lot of titles, especially the Europa League that we play in this year,” he said. “He’s a coach who knows what he wants and a coach who also progresses the players, and also old players like me.
“You never stop learning and this is very important. I’m really positive that we will do great things.
“I hope I can bring a lot of experience, a lot of mentality and together, with my team, come back to the highest level of the Champions League.”
Alliadière played for the Arsenal legends, last week and didn’t get injured. Sign him up !
Mmm Alliadiere, when did he become a legend??
Same time Matthew Upson became one.
Someone i really admired from his playing time in Arsenal. I remembered his solo move against Bolton Wonderers… so cool to watch
Really don’t understand all the jabs about his age out there. It’s a free transfer, 1-year deal, and allows us to focus on areas that need real work. How many times have we lamented our dilemma at RB, where few experienced players would want to come and play second fiddle to Bellerin? This allows us to have a veteran backup who actually specializes in this position without sacrificing transfer funds, with Bellerin still as the clear first choice. Regardless of how Lichtsteiner does, if it allows Bellerin more rest and the ability to get back to his best and even… Read more »
If anyone watched the Swiss against the Germans the other day, in the first half they were really under it with Ozil pulling all kinda of strings in an almost free role to do what Ozil does best, but one man was their only outlet time after time and literally dragged the entire team up with his running up and down the right wing, OUR Lichtsteiner
Germany played Austria… Swiss played Spain… I don’t know how you mixed that one…
I think it’s clear that whoever is the Austrian RB, we need to sign him up, pronto.
Gotta keep you all on your toes somehow <3
maybe not like that then……..
31 people didn’t watch the game
Nah 40 people like me got all excited. I’m still excited…:-)
usually we austrians are called Germans by mistake, sometimes there is a confusion with australians (no, we don´t have kangaroos) but with switzerland??? i mean a part of them also speak german (they say) but we don´t understand them 😉 btw, the austrian right back ist called stefan lainer and he is quite good……
Massive compliment really to be confused as Australians 🙂
I don’t think we should underestimate the fact that he has won a lot of trophies. I think he is the kind of guy who can play the role of Mertesacker off the pitch.
100k a week for an off the pitch influence? Hardly worth it. I’m sure he’s still a decent player but he won’t be first choice. And we will hardly get more than a year or two max out of him.
Who in the bleeding jebus are you maaan?!! And why do you make so much sense? 🙁 SCOTT P OUT (read: banned)!
I checked and it seems he did make comments against players in the swiss national team who do not have swiss roots. This is against Arsenal values. There was a sign against Balotelli last week that he didn’t have Italian blood and it hurt me very bad.
Although Stephan’s comment is old story and not of same magnitude, I lost my excitment a bit but wish him good luck.
Welcome on board Stephan. Your stay with us shall be glorious.
Very off topic but I have to ask. Does your last word – “glorious” – have any connection to a certain fella named Booby Roode, Teryima Adi? Also, what’s with your own name – TERYIMA ADI?
Sounds like someone who can give the younger ones alot of experience
I like that we now have players like Monreal and lichtensteiner guiding youngsters like Kolasinac and Bellerin.
Next, I’d take both Yaya toure and ballotelli for free. It’s what I’d do in FM.
I like the way he refers to himself as an “old player”. No nonsense and business like. Wealth of experience and a bit of bite if some of the reports are to be believed. A good signing.
I hate the way 34 is old. I’m 46 FFS.
Football makes us think after 30 we are old!
Welcome Stephan, hope you have a productive couple of years with us.
I love Bellerin’s potential but I do get the feeling that defending is a secondary concern for him. Hopefully this guy can instill a real desire for keeping a clean sheet.
The first thing I (and probably everybody else) always do when starting a new Football Manager is check who’s available for free and might be able to ‘do a job’. Seems like Unai is of the same mindset!
If only in FM they also have nagging fans variable as well, see how easy you make your decision as a virtual manager.
Good for the experience.
But I am concerned – I don’t want our summer transfer activity to consist of journeymen past their best looking for a last big pay cheque.
Lichtsteiner and possibly Papadoupalous and Feillaini makes me a little concerned that we have fuck all money for rebuilding…
I have the feeling Emery wanted the job so much he accepted everything. Looks like myself just the salary is very different.
Unai Emery is a proper coach. Sees a gapping hole in the right back position. How go 1-3 seasons without competition in the RB position. Make no mistake, Lichtsteiner is a proper RB of the highest level. Increadibly fit for his age. Watched him live in Basel in the Swiss-Hungary WC qualifier in October. He owned the rightwing. When he goes for the ball, then he really goes for it. No nonsense by nature. The softness of Arsenal is gradually remedied. Is he a back-up RB? Let’s see about that. Finally the competition is on for this slot. To the… Read more »
I like the fact that he feels he can still learn and improve, great attitude
Karibu sana.
Hoping he can help improve and relieve bellerin when he needs a rest. Our midfield acquisition is what I’m most curios about and what Unai is thinking regarding playing both auba and Lacazette coz none can be bench players.
Hoping he can replace him.
And bench Laca. Not bad to have a sub of his calibre.
Love how the club stated that he’d have his last name on his shirt, just slyy foreshadowing Sokratis as well ?
Happy with this, good bit of business. Kinda reminds me of when our old friend Sylviniho was singed up by City, for backup and experienced head despite all their millions.
Sensible singing and a bite of bite too.
Welcome to The Arsenal Stephan. Being a winner with bags of experience can only be a good thing in our team. Sounds like a top bloke.
Hey Mr. Licht, whilst you’re here I imagine you still have Arturo Vidal’s number? Message him on WhatsApp and convince him that though we don’t have CL, we are a great project.
Seriously bun Fellaini, with 1 year left on his contract, if we could get Vidal to partner Xhaka in midfield (Maybe move Ramsey to 10 if he stays?) then I’d be very confident of the next season.
I.ll five up a thumbs up bcos you suggest dropping Ozil
That was better written in my admittedly drunken head
Welcome to the Arsenal Stephan, now be careful you don’t do a “Debuchy” on the injury front! Good luck.
Thats the project set down by the Kroenkes and Ivan, get back in the CL, get revenue and profit up.
No mention of winning trophies.
Fucking hell. Misery guts
The guys on a 1 year contract. We are not winning major trophies this season. The fans have tasted FA cup glory so what else should he have been briefed to aim for?
If we get back into the CL within his time here we’ve surpassed my expectations.
That’s not to say I trust the board to be as ambitious as we are, but top 4 this year or even next would be great.
Stephen!
Comments from Juve fans on their subreddit. They really rate him. Great character it seems!
https://www.reddit.com/r/Juve/comments/8oqpdd/lichstener_to_arsenal_is_official/?st=JI2NU3EY&sh=04ab4828
hope Mr. Ivan the project manager allows for some scope creep. like winning the EPL rather than getting top 4.
I have seen this man play for Juve he is class, his age is the only problem. I shudder however at the thought of Felleni coming to Arsenal. I despair that Fellani is coming to us. Maybe he will be able to head the ball away from opposition corners. Could be one of our worse ver signings.
Excellent news 😀
I think we should be going after Lucas Paqueta, the next “big thing” from Brazil.
He would add a lot to this team
Wow loads of negativity about this signing. 7 Serie A titles in a row and will be captaining his country in a World Cup and we get him for nowt. What is there to complain about? We haven’t had a RB to kick Hector into gear and it means that AMN might not have to fill in there anymore. He sounds like he will be a big influence in the dressing room and take no shit. Plus he has been playing as a defender in a successful Italian team now for ages, if he can teach the rest of our… Read more »
Ok stephan we believe you this project is enticing here and it only needed you to complete….
Hmmm an indifferent signing for me, have to wait and see my fear is this shouldn’t go the squilacci way.
Hopefully the board will soon tell us fans what this project is…
What project? We are not buying first tier if reports are to be believed. But we are not buying on potential either. If an older defender, would prefer someone out of Bayern than a has been (AGAIN) Dortmund player who has had an uninspiring season. Otherwise a younger player please with a bit more power. AMN is already there and has shown great promise on the left, just switch him to right side. Spend the money saved on salaries for a better option at Cback then the used Greek. And get a better option in midfield than an aging Nzonzi.… Read more »
Looks like he is confirmed…oh well.