Arsenal: Hector Bellerin must hear Stephan Lichtsteiner physicality claim

Stephan Lichtsteiner has claimed that he has the physicality of a 28-year-old and is ready to push for a starting role at Arsenal. Hector Bellerin should be careful.

When Stephan Lichtsteiner arrived at Arsenal in the summer on a free transfer at the age of 34, few expected him to be truly challenging for a starting role. Even with his winning pedigree, his leadership qualities and his international experience, it would have been a surprise if he was to usurp Hector Bellerin.

Catch the latest episode of the Pain in the Arsenal podcast right here

Bellerin may not have enjoyed the most prosperous of seasons recently, but he is still a naturally gifted individual who has time to develop who should be given the chance to prove that he can address his shortcomings.

More from Pain in the Arsenal

• 3 standout players from 1-0 victory over Everton
• 3 positives & negatives from Goodison Park victory
• Arsenal vs PSV preview: Prediction, team news & lineups
• 3 talking points from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park
• Mikel Arteta provides Gabriel Martinelli injury update after Everton win

However, Lichtsteiner may not be at the Emirates as an ageing 34-year-old happy to sit on the bench and nurture a younger understudy. Speaking with the London Evening Standard this week, Lichtsteiner not only revealed that he has the physicality of a 28-year-old but also stated his acceptance and embrace of the battle for the starting role with Bellerin:

"“If I have to admit that I cannot keep the level of the last few years, then it is time. But then I will not only retire from the Swiss national team, but finish my career. Based purely on performance data I have the physicality of a 28-year-old <…> It [not starting] doesn’t irritate me, as in 2011, when I moved to Juventus, I wanted to join a big club. I was looking for a demanding challenge in a new league. That’s why I knew from the very beginning at Arsenal that I had to fight for the regular spot against Hector Bellerin.”"

These type of physicality claims are often ones that I am a little cautious about — they always seem a little like a near-retirement player is just desperate to prove that they aren’t quite as old as they actually are to hang onto their prior youthful athleticism.

That said, Bellerin should heed Lichtsteiner’s warning. He has started the season inconsistently, to say the least, and has struggled defensively at times, especially against the counter-attack in which his positioning has been somewhat naive. If there is anything that Lichtsteiner can offer that Bellerin can’t, it is an experienced, intelligent, aware defender.

He is the captain of the Swiss national team, a seven-time Serie A champion, has played in the biggest matches in world football and has learned the art of defending over a long and varied career. The very shortcomings that Bellerin suffers, Lichtsteiner has mastered.

Bellerin does not deserve to be dropped just yet. His performances have not been that poor. But he must be careful. Lichtsteiner is not in north London to just sit on the bench and if he gets a chance to usurp his Spanish counterpart, he will not waste it.