Arsenal Opinion – The Gunners should offload Stephan Lichtsteiner in the summer
According to a report in Sky Sports, Arsenal defender Stephan Lichtsteiner is unsure of his future at the club, despite holding talks of a contract extension.
The former Juventus man’s current deal expires at the end of this season, after he signed for the Gunners last summer on a free transfer.
Amidst talks of an extension, Lichtsteiner is seeking to play for a club where he can get regular first-team football as he aims to remain the front-runner to play for Switzerland in the Euro 2020. (h/t Sky Sports)
Here’s why Arsenal would be right if they decide to offload the 35-year-old at the end of this campaign:
Arsenal would be better of getting a new right-back
As of now, Arsenal have Hector Bellerin, Ainsley-Maitland Niles and Stephan Lichtsteiner as the options for the right-back slot. While the former is suffering from a long-term injury and will only make a comeback by September/October, the youngster Maitland-Niles has done well.
On the other hand, Lichtsteiner has featured 21 times for the Gunners this season and hasn’t looked secure in his overall game. At 35, the Swiss international doesn’t offer the dynamism a right-back should, in order to function well under Unai Emery.
Hence, it makes sense to let go of the former Juventus man and allow Maitland-Niles to further develop his game and contest for the right-back slot with a returning Bellerin. Or else, the best bet would be to buy a new right-back and add an extra dynamic option to the squad.
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Conclusion
All in all, handing a new contract to a 35-year-old player, who hasn’t done enough to warrant a regular place in the team, wouldn’t be the best possible idea.