Arsenal manager Unai Emery made no secret of the reason he decided to make Stephan Lichtsteiner his first signing at the Emirates.
Lichtsteiner joined the Gunners on a free transfer earlier this month and Emery immediately made it clear why he felt the Swiss right-back was so suited to his new side.
“Stephan brings huge experience and leadership to our squad. He’s a player with great quality with a very positive and determined attitude. Stephan will improve us on and off the pitch,” Emery said of the move.
Welcome to Arsenal, @LichtsteinerSte 👋#WillkommenStephan https://t.co/31jZP73Jgb
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) June 5, 2018
Lichtsteiner’s experience and leadership was on full display on Friday night, when Switzerland claimed a dramatic late victory over Serbia in their World Cup Group E clash.
Xherdan Shaqiri had just slotted home a 90th-minute winner, following on from Granit Xhaka’s stunning strike which came shortly after half-time, and Switzerland were suddenly looking good for a spot in the knockout stages.
Switzerland continued to attack after Shaqiri found the net, which is a strategy that didn’t sit well with the veteran, Lichtsteiner.
Lichtsteiner, who is the fourth-most capped player in Switzerland history, has been around the block and was furious to see his younger teammates continue to look for scoring opportunities in the dying moments.
The full-back gave substitute Breel Embolo one hell of an earful in the final minute for deciding against taking the ball to the corner in order to see out the result.
Arsenal supporters were thrilled to see such composure as they insisted that it was a trait that the Gunners have been missing in recent years.
#WorldCup | Stephan Lichtsteiner barking put instructions to his team mates, giving Embolo a blasting to ensure he remains focused. A natural leader. Welcome to #Arsenal 💪🏼#SERSUI
— The Chronicles of a Gooner (@tcoagpod) June 22, 2018
https://twitter.com/GrahamJSamuels/status/1010249803622645760
https://twitter.com/derzalanki/status/1010250657536839681
Embolo casually waited for the ball to cross outside line only for Serbian player to get it in play. Lichtsteiner clearly didn’t enjoy that and had a go at his winger. The right back is perfect for arsenal, we need a few of them with that character
— Gandhar Rane (@gandharrane) June 22, 2018
Oh my god, I love how Lichsteiner shouting at Embolo to go back at corner asap. A leader indeed, a hard one. Much needed for Arsenal shaky backline.
— 𝕵𝖔𝖍𝖆𝖓 🇵🇸 (@ididwhatyoudid) June 22, 2018
https://twitter.com/owasendle/status/1010254241221529601
https://twitter.com/PeterMutevu/status/1010251466605498368
Lichtsteiner going absolutely mental at Embolo not chasing the ball. Can't wait to see some of that at the Emirates next season.
— Ram Vaidyanathan (@zoopertrip) June 22, 2018
