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Arsenal Vs Blackpool: 5 things we learned – Young guns explode

By Andrew Dowdeswell

BLACKPOOL, ENGLAND - JANUARY 05: Alex Iwobi celebrates after scoring his team's third goal with teammate Ainsley Maitland-Niles of Arsenal during the FA Cup Third Round match between Blackpool and Arsenal at Bloomfield Road on January 5, 2019 in Blackpool, United Kingdom. (Photo by Mark Robinson/Getty Images)
BLACKPOOL, ENGLAND - JANUARY 05: Alex Iwobi celebrates after scoring his team's third goal with teammate Ainsley Maitland-Niles of Arsenal during the FA Cup Third Round match between Blackpool and Arsenal at Bloomfield Road on January 5, 2019 in Blackpool, United Kingdom. (Photo by Mark Robinson/Getty Images) /
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Arsenal, Stephan Lichtsteiner
VILLAREAL, SPAIN – JUNE 03: Stephan Lichtsteiner of Switzerland looks on prior to the International Friendly match between Spain and Switzerland at Estadio de La Ceramica on June 3, 2018 in Villareal, Spain. (Photo by Manuel Queimadelos Alonso/Getty Images) /

4. Stephan Lichtsteiner won’t be coming back

Arsenal never signed Stephan Lichtsteiner to be the starting right-back or central defender. A 34-year-old on a free transfer should never be a starting player for a top-six Premier League team. He was brought to north London to be a reserve, versatile and experienced depth to aid the dressing room and add another number to his options, which he has needed this season.

But even given those rather modest expectations, it is fair to say that Lichtsteiner has not met them. Bar a couple of feisty moments when his aggressive, fighting character has shown, the Swiss captain has predominantly looked out of his depth, short of the necessary physical skills at the top level and unable to make up for them with astute positioning and sharp decision-making.

Lichtsteiner, this time playing at centre-back, struggled again here. The size of Blackpool centre-forward Armand Gnanduillet caused him great trouble, his distribution was oddly poor for someone who used to play as a wide midfielder in his younger years, and he was consistently hesitant, often losing tackles because of his indecision. Lichtsteiner is no longer good enough. It would be surprising to see him back at the Emirates next year.

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