Arsenal Signs Stephan Lichtsteiner From Juventus

JAMES BENSON

Arsenal has announced the signing of Stephan Lichtsteiner on a free transfer from Juventus.

The Switzerland international puts pen to paper at Arsenal having come to the end of a seven-season, trophy-laden stint in Turin.

Lichtsteiner is the first signing of the Unai Emery era at the Emirates, with a cluster of players expected to follow.

The new Arsenal head coach has revealed his delight at the Gunners sealing a deal for the vastly-experienced defender.

“Stephan brings huge experience and leadership to our squad,” said Emery. “He’s a player with great quality with a very positive and determined attitude. Stephan will improve us on and off the pitch.”

Lichtsteiner lifted the lid on his joy at moving to north London, saying: “It’s a great moment.

“It’s great for me after Juventus to come to Arsenal and have this big challenge to make big things [happen] with this big club.

“There is a project. 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.”

Lichtsteiner also waxed lyrical about Emery, who was appointed as Arsene Wenger’s successor last month.

“He’s a very good coach who’s won a lot of titles, especially the Europa League that we play in this year,” said Lichtsteiner.

“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.”

Lichtsteiner’s move is subject to the completion completion of standard regulatory processes.

He takes on the No 12 shirt at Arsenal, last worn by Olivier Giroud before his January switch to Chelsea.

Arsenal have not yet revealed how long 34-year-old Lichtsteiner is tied down for, although he is expected to have signed up for 12 months.

He will vie it out with Hector Bellerin for a starting berth on the right side of Arsenal’s defence next season.

Lichtsteiner is due to jet off to the World Cup with Switzerland, where they’ll face Brazil, Serbia and Costa Rica.

Next season he’ll be hoping to add to an impressive trophy-haul which includes Serie A titles won in each of his seven seasons at Juventus.

The Adligenswil-born ace also won five Coppa Italias and four Supercoppa Italianas during his time in Italy.

Arsenal are the fifth club of Lichsteiner’s career, which began with Grasshopper in his homeland.