Arsenal have confirmed the signing of Swiss international Stephan Lichtsteiner on a Bosman transfer.
The 34-year-old is expected to officially join the club once his contract with Juventus expires at the end of the month.
Earlier this week, the Switzerland international had stressed that he had no agreement in place with the north London side but it now appears that the right-back was waiting for a formal announcement from the Gunners themselves.
Lichtsteiner is likely to play second fiddle to Hector Bellerin at right-back for the 2018/19 campaign but the Swiss’ experience could count for the big occasion where Bellerin has tended to falter with the defensive side of his game.
On the other side, the Swiss could also mentor Bellerin on the weaker aspects including his tackling and the final delivery into the box which has been pretty average over the past 18 months.
Lichtsteiner becomes the first signing in the post-Arsene Wenger era and the Swiss’ arrival gives a clear evidence of the club’s approach under head of recruitment Sven Mislintat.
Here is how Lichtsteiner reacted on Twitter:
Happy and honoured to be a Gunner! Will work hard and passionately day in and day out to achieve our sportive objectives and to win trophies with this great club! @Arsenal pic.twitter.com/h32IueSSob
— Stephan Lichtsteiner (@LichtsteinerSte) June 5, 2018
Since the turn of the year, there has been more focus of pursuing ready-made with rich experience for the positions but this has not entirely ignored the importance of young recruits.
Whilst the likes of Aubameyang, Mkhitaryan and Lichtsteiner have added some much-needed experience within the squad, Mislintat seems to have brought a brilliant young gem in the form of Mavropanos, who has certainly impressed with his initial showing.
Lichtsteiner’s signing is likely to be shortly followed by the arrival of Sokratis Papastathopoulos from Borussia Dortmund after his father confirmed that the deal is on the cusp of being finalised.
