Arsenal are set to complete their first signing of the post Arsene Wenger era this week, with the arrival of Juventus right-back Stephan Lichtsteiner.
The 34-year-old has spent the last seven years with Italian champions, but is free to talk to other clubs, with his current deal set to expire in the coming weeks.
Lichtsteiner has already confirmed that he will not be renewing his contract with the Il Bianconeri and has been keen to find a club where his family can feel settled.
“I don’t chase money and I need a place where I’ll have a good quality of life,” he said.
“My wife and children have to be happy and that wouldn’t be the case in China. I don’t need more money.”
It is claimed that the Swiss international visited Arsenal’s London Colney training ground last week, and although the London Evening Standard say that a deal has not yet been agreed, there is optimism that a deal could be announced in the coming days.
Should Lichtsteiner complete his move to the Emirates as expected, it is not thought that he be would be a regular starter for the Gunners, but would provide some much needed leadership, experience and cover at the back.
Arsenal have seemed to constantly sign promising defenders over the last five to ten years of Arsene Wenger’s reign, and despite the potential of his signings, that potential has rarely come to fruition, with only current first choice right-back Hector Bellerin so far growing into a top Premier League player.
However Bellerin is currenly unchallenged on the right of defence having played every single game of the 2017/18 season, and would benefit from the cover that the Swiss captain would bring.
His arrival would also bring a winning mentality into the Arsenal dressing room, with the Swiss having won eight league titles over the course of his illustrious career, something that has been seemingly absent from the Emirates from a long time.