Arsenal: Stephan Lichtsteiner offers overlooked intangibles

Arsenal are closing in on the free-transfer signing of Stephan Lichtsteiner. The 34-year-old full-back offer overlooked intangibles that could be invaluable.

Arsenal have a whole lot of work to do this summer. The squad, as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang inferred with his recent comments about the club, has ‘stagnated’ and there is a great need for a refreshing at a number of positions with some serious investment. Whether that will investment will actually come is extremely doubtful. But it is irrefutably required.

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Fans, therefore, myself very much included, have been eagerly anticipating the transfer window. Arsene Wenger is gone. A new regime is here. Spending is required. They are ingredients for a thoroughly fascinating period.

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Unfortunate, then, that the first signing of the post-Wenger era may be one of the more boring ones. Arsenal are being heavily linked with a move for Juventus right-back Stephan Lichtsteiner. The 34-year-old is out of contract this summer and is available on a free transfer. The wages would be the only payout and, given his age and presumed role in the squad, they would not be as steep or as longer-term a commitment as some might think. Nevertheless, other than for depth, which is necessary at the position with only Hector Bellerin as the natural right-back in the squad, it is difficult to see why this move is being made.

But then, if you look beyond the influence between the white lines, at the often overlooked intangibles that an individual can bring to an organisation, especially one like Arsenal that for so long ignored the importance of their presence, it is easy to see the utility of Lichtsteiner.

Per all reports, the Swiss international is an individual of extremely high character. He is great to have in the dressing room. A leader off the pitch, an encourager, a challenger, a natural-born winner, someone who commands respect from his teammates, and then uses that respect to improve them, an individual that has been absent from the red half of north London for many, many years.

The soft underbelly of this squad is something that has been long criticised. There is a hesitance to criticise, a fear to question, an unwillingness to be harsh about another. These attributes are necessary to a team dynamic. It is vital that managers, coaches and players are able to improve one another by calling others out when necessary. And yet, that has rarely been the case at London Colney. Lichtsteiner changes that.

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He may not be a flashy name. He may not command an ambition-proclaiming price. He may be a bit boring. But he brings key intangibles to the squad that are absolutely essential. And all for free. That should not go overlooked.