Morning all.
Funny how things sometimes work out in life. I had to call an engineer out because our fridge/freezer had a fault. Inevitably, the conversation got around t football as it so often does with me and having heard the engineers voice I suspected he could only support one of two teams. Do I ask I thought to myself.. I did. About an hour later and after dissecting Arsenal, he left. Yes, a massive Gooner who like most of us, can’t wait for the new season to begin under the new regime.
This might sound stupid but new guy Stephan Lichtsteiner might just turn out to be one of the more important signings of the summer for Arsenal. Captain of his country for a while now and part of a club at Juventus who had to overcome a lot to return to the top level in the game. They had to shake off the ‘cheat’ label after being relegated for alleged match fixing back in 2006 and even though Stephan wasn’t part of that team back then, but a ‘cheat’ label takes a long time to get rid of. Because of the goings on, many of the better players left Juventus as quick as they dropped into Serie B.
After going through numerous managers, it wasn’t until 2011 that the Italian club found the right man. Antonio Conte, and the rest they say is history. 2011 was also the year that our new number 12 joined the Italian club, going on to win seven Serie A titles during that time. No Champions League winners medal though, despite on the odd occasion getting to the final.
Apparently he has two nicknames, “Forrest Gump” from the Lazio-supporting Radio Sei commentator Guido de Angelis after making a run down his flank to score in the 4–2 derby victory over crosstown rivals A.S. Roma and “The Swiss Express” which is due to his pace and athleticism.
The Swiss international, who despite being at the ripe old age of 34, will be in Russia for the World Cup again this summer, answered a number of questions during his first official interview for his new club but I’ve picked out just two:
How would you describe your playing style?
My playing style? I’m a right back who likes to attack but I also know when it’s time to attack and when you need to stay behind. I have to put a balance between defence and attack.
At Juventus you won seven successive Serie A titles. How important is it to have someone of your experience in the dressing room, to guide some of the younger players?
I hope I can bring a lot of that mentality. It’s a little bit of the same project that I did seven years ago with Juventus. Juventus also, for two times, didn’t qualify for the Champions League. I hope I can bring a lot of experience, a lot of mentality and together, with my team, come back to the highest level of the Champions League.
Looking at the second question, I think he’s under selling himself as having a player like him in the squad alone is a big thing, no, massive. On the pitch, it’s just as important, certainly when a cool and calm head is required. A player who can lift the heads of those around him after we’ve just conceded a goal rather than just trudging back to the half way line looking like their lives over. We’ve seen the latter far too often in recent years. He’s a good defender too, very good and he’s as fit as a fiddle. Just hope the World Cup is kind to him as it is for all of our players out in Russia. We all know that off the pitch, experienced players, winners, can get into the minds of others and give them belief. Alexis Sanchez work ethic soon caught on for a few after he first arrived, perhaps knowing that our new number 12 has seven league titles to his name might soon catch on too and become something others will soon crave with Arsenal.
Then there’s his playing style and what a great answer. Could he have described one of our teams most obvious problems any better? I’m not sure he could, so many of our players have been allowed to bomb forward whilst leaving those behind them vulnerable and far too often it’s ended in a goal conceded. Perhaps that will now stop after the arrival of Unai Emery and his coaching team. He’s made it clear he likes to play attractive football, but attractive football doesn’t mean neglecting the defensive side of the game. Well, it shouldn’t although someone forgot to tell Arsene Wenger that.
This experienced player might be free, he might be older and perhaps ridiculed by certain sections of fans but what he brings with him which is a wealth of experience and a winning mentality, is priceless.
Little to say after that summary , I think he is the type of short term neccessity that will be needed for Emery to survive his 2 year trial. I expect to see more of the same , no marquee signings but a balancing of the squad where required.
Agree, older heads seem to be the way the club is going this summer. I get it though…
Maybe one biggie, a keeper hopefully.
G’day Rico, excellent post thank you. Not only will Stephan Lichtsteiner go to the World Cup but he will go as Captain of the Swiss team.
With the long-term, and possibly terminal, injury to Koscielny allied to Mert’s retirement we are in need of a new Captain. Stephan could well be a strong candidate. Frankly the only realistic candidate.
Hi and thanks Cicero.
I think he’d be one of the better candidates but if Ramsey decides to stay, Jack too, perhaps it’ll be one of those two. Just guessing though really. I do think a defender is a better captain position though.
Good post Rico. As you said the guy is under selling himself. He is a terrific footballer, I hope he plays and Bellerin sits and observes how to be a complete player.
Quick story, he really won me over 2 seasons ago. Juvy was winning 2-1, I think at Sampdoria, and he was playing his socks off defensively then Allegri took him out around 70 mins – good coaching decision because at 32 y.o and the way he had played you didn’t want him to breakdown. The guy was livid. He walked right to Allegri said about 4 words to him, as to say are you watching the game and he walked straight passed him. In the last 10 years, I have not seen an Arsenal player show that type of passion, not even Sanchez.
Btw, Rico…. can we really afford to have Ramsey as a Captain? The only advantage would be he’s from the UK and I see that referees in EPL tolerate dissents from UK players more; but aside from that, he doesn’t command respect from other players and needs to work on his declining game.
Rico, I don’t see either as a leader on the pitch, as far as them being British is concerned I think it matters not.
The fact that neither Ramsey or Wilshere are exactly champing at the bit to sign new contracts rules them out for their lack of loyalty to the club.
Thanks Obi.
Guys, I don’t think Ramsey would make a good captain either, after all, his time with Wales didn’t help him at all. But didn’t Emery suggest he wants to build the team around him?
I just hope the fridge freezer was still under warranty lol.
Our next captain, not so much nicey nicey but more prickly prickly please but then they stopped making Patrick Vieira’s years ago didn’t they !!!
It is Micko…. phew!
New post up now.