Arsenal and Stephan Lichtststeiner: First brick of new fortress

Arsenal have signed 34-year-old Stephan Lichtsteiner from Juventus. He is the first signing under Unai Emery; he is the first brick of the building of a new defensive fortress.

The much-anticipated arrival of former Juventus right-back Stephan Lichtsteiner was finally nailed a few days ago, thus becoming the first player to join Arsenal since the appointment of the new head coach, Unai Emery.

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Expectations continue to grow and, judging from daily transfer rumours in the media, the call for total restructuring of the defensive line-up at the Emirates is paramount. Critics bitterly cried for changes under Arsene Wenger, often asking when the seemingly unwanted change was going to begin. It never really came.

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Telling, then, that the first signing of the Emery era is not just a defender, but a very un-Wenger player. The change has now begun and the first point of reference is a 34-year-old Swiss international.

Right-back Hector Bellerin is just 23 years of age. Tough days of adventure are clearly ahead in the future but, obviously, he still needs to learn from a man who appeared over 195 times for Juventus in the league alone, appeared in a Champions League final, has won seven consecutive league titles, and is the captain of his country. Lichtsteiner could surely serve both as a backup plan and a healthy competitor to the Spaniard.

Away from the mindset of defensive reinforcement, the team will be hoping to benefit from his unparalleled leadership style.

An example may well be deduced when he came in as a substitute for Medhi Benatia in the 61st minute away to Tottenham in one of UEFA Champions League games last season. He immediately commanded a sensationally positive vibe, stopping Ben Davies and Heung-Min Son’s dangerous threats that had been causing his side major problems throughout the previous hour.

Another impressive story to cheer is the fact that the new Arsenal man posses an excellent track record of being a less-injury prone player. Transfermarkt stated that a thigh muscle strain of  October 3, 2013, to November 28, 2013, appeared to be the only major injury setback he has suffered in recent times, a statistic not bad for a defender over 30 years of age playing in one of Europe’s top-five elite soccer leagues.

Next: Arsenal: 3 things that Stephan Lichtsteiner will bring

As the new season approaches, bookmakers’ interest will continue to grow and all attention will undoubtedly be focused on the newly rejuvenated managerial set up at the Emirates. But, for now, let’s enjoy the moment relishing the arrival of the first brick of the new fortress, Stephan Lichtsteiner.