Arsenal: One big reason Stephan Lichtsteiner hasn’t been a flop

Arsenal fans have been lambasting Stephan Lichtsteiner for his recent outings, but calling him a flop is a bit unfair isn’t it, given everything?

I was so thrilled when Arsenal announced the free signing of Stephan Lichtsteiner. A guy like him, who has won so much, done so much, played so many matches, doesn’t come around all the time, and certainly not for free. Sure his age was a concern, but plenty of older players still make a go of it.

Lichtsteiner did so well early in the season that I wanted him to replace Hector Bellerin. His defending was far superior and while the attacking push wasn’t there, at the time, it wasn’t needed, we had the attack covered.

Nowadays, things are different. Lichtsteiner has proven that he is not a reliable fullback, what for lack of speed and the fact that we now need attacking more than anything from our fullbacks. Thus, it has become a general cry around Gooners that he has been a flop.

That’s harsh. Very harsh. And there are lots of reasons why, but one big one – the club is broke (again, don’t ask me how). They knew they needed defensive/fullback help but they had no money. So they went after Lichtsteiner on a free and let come what may.

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He did his part. He provided depth, he helped us out, particularly early on in the season. And I still believe that if you run with a back three and let him serve as the right-sided centerback, that he would adapt perfectly well. That’s his new position. But what he is being asked to do these days is far beyond his realm of control.

We can all see that he shouldn’t be playing fullback, and he probably knows it to. Yet he still keeps getting asked to.

Also, with the injuries to Hector Bellerin and Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Lichtsteiner’s presence has been vital at times. Don’t judge the entire season based on the errors of the recent. He hasn’t been as savior, or a miracle-worker, but he played a role that was desperately needed for a club that was too broke to buy anyone else.

It sounds so sad and pathetic, but that’s where we are.

At the end of the day, I’d rather we have signed him than not. And if that isn’t the ultimate testament that he hasn’t been a flop, then I don’t know what is.