Stephan Lichtsteiner reveals why he decided to join Arsenal
The Swiss international joins from Juventus to become the first new arrival of the Unai Emery era at the Emirates
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Your support makes all the difference.Stephan Lichtsteiner has revealed that the "project" was the main reason why he chose to join Arsenal from Juventus.
The Swiss international joins from the Serie A champions after seven league titles to become the first new arrival of the Unai Emery era at the Emirates.
The 34-year-old brings with him a wealth of European experience and admits he's excited to get going with his new club.
"There is a project. There is a project to come back into the Champions League. I think it’s hard to see a club like Arsenal not playing in the Champions League," he told the club's official website. "If you see the players, if you see the club, the stadium… it’s the project, the big opportunity to get back to the highest level."
Despite a career that has taken him around Europe including spells in France and Italy as well as his native Switzerland, Lichtsteiner has never played against his new side but admits he has always admired them from afar.
"I’ve never played against Arsenal, but of course there was the big era of Wenger," he added. "He won a lot of titles with Arsenal and [made them] a big team. Now it’s a new moment. Wenger went and now everything is a bit new, so it’s a big challenge.
Lichtsteiner's arrival in north London will see him join new boss Emery who he says he is looking forward to working with.
"He’s a very good coach who’s won a lot of titles, especially the Europa League that we play in this year. He’s a coach who knows what he wants and a coach who also progresses the players, and also old players like me. You never stop learning and this is very important. I’m really positive that we will do great things."
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