Emery: Lichtsteiner brings leadership and great quality to Arsenal

Unai Emery has made his first signing as Arsenal manager and he’s gone for experience in the shape of Stephan Lichtsteiner.

The 34-year-old will captain Switzerland at this month’s World Cup. He will join the Gunners on a free transfer.

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

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Lichtsteiner left Juventus last month after making more than 250 appearances for the Italian champions during a seven-year spell that saw him win seven Serie A titles, four Coppa Italias and three Italian Super Cups.

He will collect his 100th international cap in Russia during the World Cup where Arsenal fans will be hoping he manages to shore up their notoriously shaky defence.

“I’m a right back who likes to attack but I also know when it’s time to attack and when you need to stay behind,” he said. “I have to put a balance between defence and attack.”

As for what attracted him to north London, Lichtsteiner said: “There is a project to come back into the Champions League. If you see the players, if you see the club, the stadium, it’s the big opportunity to get back to the highest level.”