Lichtsteiner confirmed by Arsenal – First of many winners?

So we have our very first signing at last as it has been confirmed on the official Arsenal site that Stephan Lichtsteiner has arrived on a free transfer after becoming a free-agent after winning 7 Serie A titles in a row.

This is how the Gunners announced it….

Swiss international defender Stephan Lichtsteiner is joining us from Juventus.

He signs as a free agent from the Serie A club, where he won the title in each of his seven seasons.

A hugely-experienced right-sided defender, Stephan made over 250 appearances for Juventus and is the fourth-most capped player in Switzerland history with 99 appearances for his country. He has also been the Swiss captain since 2016.

It is also heartening to know that his English is also very good and he is very keen to start gaining more glory with the Gunners in the EPL. “It’s a great moment.” he said. “It’s a 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.”

He is also impressed with our new coach. He said: “He’s a very good coach who’s won a lot of titles, especially the Europa League that we play in this year. 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.”

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

So one down at last. Perhaps with Lichtsteiner’s age and experience, perhaps he could be our new captain? But he has got the Number 12 shirt. I hope that doesn’t mean he will be a reserve!

Welcome to Arsenal Stephan!

Admin

77 Comments

  1. Welcome Stephan Lichtsteiner, at least that stupid Héctor Bellerín can now stay on his toes, and gain his form back.

    #COYG

    1. Lichsteiner would or should be a great mentor, Bellerin should ask him everything and watch his defensive game and way he trains very closely. I don’t think Lichsteiner will have the stamina to be a regular, but he might be able to fill in at CB pretty good.

    1. Told you guys the deal was done despite his comments.The player was just trying to keep things low and be coy when in reality it was imminent.

        1. Congratulations Kev. You called it first. It also looks like the Socratis link is also panning out.

          1. Kev
            Every mans and his dog knew about lichtsteiner coming! Yesterday lichtsteiner himself said the deal is not done yet so the speculation started from that! Otherwise ur gonna have to a lot more to impress me considering soyuncu is not a secret either after the player himself said he will have talks with us after international duty! So if u know no more than that about soyuncu I’d like to know? If not I’ll carry on getting my info from the same place you do

            1. I’m with Dalinho Kev, as far as I can see you don’t be telling anything that other sources are not saying first. And there were allot of them on this Lichsteiner, Sokratis and Caglar, you were not an early reporter as far as I can tell. Also, when I hear a certain something and then believe it was a good spot or he may have info, I think I’m decent at reading between the lines and it will stick with me. So you’ll have to allot more to convince me too, like I don’t even think you’re good at making at half believable. There will always be a few gullible ones in any crowd, but on here I think there’s a fair number who”ll make you work for it before pulling at the wool.

              At least this time Kev you did mention one of your Twitter followers as a source, that’s fair enough compared to stringing people along by wanting them to believe you have inside information, well I appreciated that compared to how you were at the beginning, because it’s honesty.

      1. When you give out hundreds of names of players that arsenal are signing you have to get 1 right eventually!! Keep reading the other sites kev and copy what they say!! Don’t forget to do your homework otherwise your be on detention tomorrow and won’t get chance to write more crap!!!

  2. Where are those who said Lichtsteiner was not done because he said so?The deal was done l9ng ago but at times players just want to be coy over transfers.This happens a lot.
    One down and one to go.
    DONE DEAL!!!Lichtsteiner is a gunner.
    Next up Sokratis.
    Adli is done too just a matter of when we’d like to sign him if to pay the fee or wait for his 18th birthday for him to be free..

    Soyuncu deal will become clearer once Turkey finish their friendly tomorrow.Mind you his replacement has already been signed so 100% he’ll be leaving.

    1. Hey Kev, I think the defensive midfielder is more of a priority now than any other position in this our team… What do u think?

      1. Very true.I just don’t want Nzonzi,Fellaini,Rabiot and the like.
        I want out and out young DM’s like Torreira,Ruben Dias,Ascascibar etc.That position is very weak.We really need to sign one and to me this should be a top priority not winger or any other.

          1. Fck me kev give it a rest ,these transfer we’re metioned 3 weeks ago
            I’m still waiting for lemar to sign ,what happened to that transfer and the countless others you have metioned over the years
            I remember when I 1st came on this site there was a person on here called Leo -I take it that was you cause he only came out when the transfer window was open

            1. Please don’t confuse me with Resource or Remember Resources.
              We are different people.Someone here even said Leo is Resource or Remember Resources.
              I’m not the #LACALEMAR guy.

              1. Lol you both said lemar was signed and sealed -do you actually believe that you have inside knowledge of Arsenal’s transfer dealings ? This is a team that have one of the most secretive transfer dealing in the world
                Do you even know how many players you have said have signed over the last 4transfer periods and they haven’t
                Would you like me to list them for you ?
                Let’s not forget you told us 1st that Arteta was our new manager lol

        1. You don’t want Rabiot? I would take him in a heart beat. You do realise he is still only 21?

          1. True but he’s a defensive-minded central midfielder, and this is one where I have to agree with Kev.
            We do desperately need an out-and-out DM. Fellaini isn’t one, and even Nzonzi – a DM – is possibly not as defensive as we would need him to be (unless we play with 3 at the back, which under Unai we won’t).

  3. Looking forward to seeing more of good players that will improve the team while the not so serious or committed once are shown the door. Hope u bring stability and ur experience to help the team especially defensively

  4. Welcome Lichtsteiner.

    Hope your experience and leadership qualities rub off to the youngsters. Please show Bellarine & his gang how to balance defensive work & attack.

  5. Lichsteiner is a nasty piece of work and a player I leant to hate when he has come against teams I’ve supported. He’s a master of the dark arts and there isn’t much he won’t do to give his team an advantage. So, in a word he is exactly what Arsenal need and I’m sure he’ll be a great asset to Emery as he tries to shake things up.

  6. Soyuncu will be world class if we sign him he will be our best defender I have an eye for talent though that’s no work

    1. I wasn’t familiar with the guy not befor this transfer window… How good is he? How will u rate him on a scale of 1-10

      1. He has world class written all over him should he develop into what we expect.Will be very very reliable and hardly beatable 1v1 when he gets there.

        1. soyuncu has massive potential better than what we have two footed can play DM a ball playing cb, he also have the physical attributes of a defender

          1. He’s gonna be very very good.I don’t understand why he halted any potential deal due to friendlies.
            His future will become clearer after tomorrow since by that time Turkey will probably have finished their friendlies.

  7. Brilliant and astute signing. First of our new leaders, on and off the pitch. COYG!

  8. Kinds of players we need in the dressing room. I remember even signing Arteta made a huge difference in our squad.

    1. Well Sue, look at it this way; we just signed a personal coach for Bellerin so he can learn on and of the pitch.

      1. Totally agree with you Abel.

        Arsenal has a lot of faith in Bellerin & do not want to destabilise his development by bringing “a direct competitor” but rather bring someone short term who will hold his hand & also teach our other defenders too. As said above his a master of the dark acts, aggressive, knows when to attack & when to stay back, winner, leader on & off the pitch.

        I for one think he will be very useful in big games & the UCL. With our tight budget it wouldn’t have made sense buying another RB at 17 to 20mil.

        1. Sorry Europa & not UCL. Getting ahead of myself there, or maybe I am being prophetic like master Kev.

          1. Sue, I am disappointed, as I thought he was so good looking his photo would already be on your wall?

        2. Thanks bro for giving me a reason to be excited about this signing. Please can someone tell kev to just keep shut

    2. I agree. Bargain basement (free) just like Fellaini. I only see him as a back up to Bellerin. For 1-2 years max.

    3. Sue,

      How dare you employ age discrimination vitrol against our new signing..??

      His intangibles on the pitch and most importantly in the dressing room supersede the age question imho. Although I don’t rate Socratis, I can see similar characteristics in his play that AFC and Emery are trying to build a future foundation upon.

      Now go get
      Torreria
      Sonycu or Tah
      Rico

      1. I’m just being pessimistic Adam ? I’d like to think of the long term plan, not just a one season wonder. If he’s captaining Switzerland in the world cup, I guess he can’t be that bad ? so I shall be watching to see how he does!
        With the players you mentioned.. then I would be excited!!

  9. I’ll take any signing right now… Our team is shit
    Fellaini in pls…we are a Europa league team…lower your expectations

    1. Things are bad… Let’s face facts.. We can’t compete for the top expensive ones right now… Let’s get the best we can with our resources and our Europa league fate.. Hope for better coaching from Unai Emery and some luck too

      1. I agree. That’s why I get angry when fans start calling for Ramsey’s head as if we can readily afford a real upgrade on him. He’s not as replaceable as most of us think

  10. Ascacibar is an argentine dm. He plays in bundesliga. He has good marking skills. Very strong physycally but too short and skinny for my taste. However, he has the toughest attittude and strongest character. Reminds a bit of gattusso but more skilled technically. Ascacicbar’s srtrong character will collide with Ozil?, who clearly has one of the weakest characters Ive seen in the game.

  11. Forget his age
    Ibrahimovic, Schmichel, Buffon, Totti, Pirlo, Terry, Lahm were all fine in their 30s

    Some are bad.
    Some are good

    Im 100% sure Lichtsteiner will be very good for us for one or two seasons at least.
    He will push and hopefully improve Bellerin

    He also comes with loads of trophies

    1. Innit, Lichtsteiner, although 34, is experienced, has retained his pace, is a serial winner and has leadership ability demonstrated by the fact that he is captain of the Swiss National team at the World Cup.

  12. this signing doesnt make me happy at all anyway he is an arsenal player…hope fellaini comes i have liked him since he was at everton..

  13. I like it.
    He is experienced, and can compete with Bellerin, which will make him better.
    He is a winner.

    He is used to press, which is what we need. Hopefully, he can help teaching this to the rest.

  14. Pro’s
    1. He is experienced and a winner.
    2. He cost nothing.
    3. He might inject something into Bellerin and make him improve.

    Con’s
    1. He is old (well 34 years old)
    2. He is long passed his best.
    3. He is using up financial resources that could be used elsewhere.
    I think most Arsenal fans are happy with this because they know not to expect too much from Arsenal.
    I am just sad to see Arsenal fall so far from grace.
    We will never challenge next season…

    1. We needed a second RB. We got a great one for free. He will be able to help Hector progress while pushing him for a place. I think this is one of the smartest piece of business we did in the market in a while.
      I think his experience and leadership will be good for the team and bring the best out of Bellerin. We have Osei-Tutu in the academy who might become our long term RB option as well.

  15. Straight in the eleven at right back, if the club has ANY sense. A choice between a seven times in a row Italian League winner and Swiss 99 cap proper defender and a social media and hairstyle mad child, who can run but can’t defend to save his life, , who spends his time anywhere but in defence where he should be, cannot cross a ball accurately more than one in ten and can’t tackle , challenge in the air, is weedy, etc. etc is NO CHOICE AT ALL. Bellerin has never ever been a defender, in practice, only in theory. I would sell him this week, given my way.

    1. Lol. That’s quite harsh on Bellerin I think, but the lad needs someone to kick up his ass with which he’s seated for too long!
      With more discipline, he could actually be real class.

  16. Is sell Bellerin aswell mate! He’s the worst crosser of the ball and ain’t as fast as u used to be, then u for his defending and positioning which added with Mustafi’s slide tackled is a disaster! Blag barca to get Bellerin for £50mil and get Pavard! Lichtsteiner will be a first teamer without a doubt bcoz Emery won’t have a choice if he wants to keep his job and I hope he gets rid of Mustafi before it’s to late

  17. I have always comically called dude “Big Spanner” long before now, much thanks to the pronunciation of his name which gave me headaches initially, and how I was a big fan of his work rate and reliability whenever I watched him at Juve.
    …and now hope “Big Spanner” has come to ‘fix’ that position and probably the entire defence.
    Not expecting him to still run the show like he’s done over the last couple of years, but really eager to see the much improvement he’ll surely bring.

    Welcome Lichtsteiner!

      1. Blimey! Is he?? Oh…that’s worse than what I thought.

        Still he is a class player – his experience alone should help the players around him- fingers crossed.

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