Arsenal confirm Stephan Lichtsteiner transfer with Switzerland international signing on one-year deal

The full-back joins on a free transfer after leaving Juventus

Arsenal have confirmed their first signing of the Unai Emery era with the arrival of Swiss international Stephane Lichtsteiner on a free transfer.

The veteran full-back arrives from Juventus, who he left after winning seven Scuddetti and seven cups in a successful spell with the Serie A giants.

Lichtsteiner will wear the number 12 shirt and is expected to compete with Hector Bellerin for the starting job at right-back.

Head coach Unai Emery said of the signing: “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.”

Lichtsteiner was recruited by Arsenal's new-look footballing hierarchy that includes scouting czar Sven Mislintat, director of football operations Raul Sanllehi and contract specialist Huss Fahmy, and the 34-year-old defender is looking forward to trying to return Arsenal to the top four.

"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. 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.

Stephan Lichtsteiner has signed for Arsenal

(Getty)

"I hope I can bring a lot of [winning] 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."