Stephan Lichtsteiner’s shirt number revealed after Arsenal transfer confirmed

The 34-year-old because Unai Emery's first signing as Arsenal boss

Stephan Lichtsteiner will wear the No 12 shirt at Arsenal after signing for the Gunners from Juventus on a free transfer on Tuesday.

The Switzerland captain, who spent eight years in Turin with the Italian champions, takes the shirt number vacated by Olivier Giroud in January, when he moved to Chelsea.

Lauren was the last right-back to wear the number at Arsenal, with club legend Thierry Henry briefly taking the number on his return to the Gunners in 2012.

The 34-year-old is new head coach Unai Emery’s first signing since he was announced as Arsene Wenger’s successor.

“Stephan brings huge experience and leadership to our squad,” he told Arsenal.com. “He’s a player with great quality with a very positive and determined attitude. Stephan will improve us on and off the pitch.”

Lichtsteiner described himself as an attacking full-back and will shoulder some of the playing responsibility from current first-choice right back Hector Bellerin.

“My playing style?” he said. “I’m a right back who likes to attack but I also know when it’s time to attack and when you need to stay behind. I have to put a balance between defence and attack.

“I hope I can bring a lot of that [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.”