Stephan Lichtsteiner rubbishes retirement talk amid struggle at Arsenal to make impression
The defender has struggled for game time, but insists that he's still in peak physical condition and is prepared to fight for a spot in Unai Emery's team
STEPHAN LICHTSTEINER hasn't made the impression he hoped to since moving to Arsenal, but he has rubbished rumours of retirement by declaring that he has the physicality of a 28-year-old.
The defender has made it clear that he's prepared to fight for his spot in the team, despite having played second fiddle to Hector Bellerin since he arrived in north London this summer.
The 34-year-old came on as a substitute in Arsenal's opening game against Manchester City, but other than that he has not been afforded any other opportunities under new boss Unai Emery.
That's despite being Emery's first signing of the summer, when the Swiss defender swapped Serie A side Juventus for The Gunners.
His lack of game time has to people asking when he will hang up his boots.
Speaking to Sportal, he said: " I could have changed to five other clubs in the summer, knowing that I would certainly play 47 out of 50 serious matches.
"I wanted to join a big club, I was looking for a demanding challenge in a new league."
Speaking of his lack of game time, the Swiss national team captain said: “That’s why I knew from the very beginning at Arsenal that I had to fight for the regular spot against Hector Bellerin.
"For me, stepping down has never been up for debate, if I have to admit that I can not keep the level of the last few years, then it is time.
“But then I will not only resign from the Swiss national team, but finish my career.
"Based purely on performance data I have the physicality of a 28-year-old."
Emery is still getting to grips with his new club and finding his feet in north London, but it seems to be a case of trial and error.
But the players are susceptible to change, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang even offering to move out wide to allow space for Alexandre Lacazette in the centre so that the pair of firm friends can pair up on the pitch.
Lichtsteiner is similarly optimistic about his chance to play for his new side, he said: “If you have achieved a lot in your career, you have high expectations of yourself and want to play- but I also know that I will get the chance to play games.
“It is quite unusual for me to be a substitute. Three games in a row, that’s never happened to me."
Lichtsteiner is due to face England this evening as his country take on the Three Lions in an international friendly.
And he's likely to come up against his Arsenal team-mate Danny Welbeck.
