According to reports, Arsenal are interested in making a move for Juventus full-back Stephan Lichtsteiner.
The Switzerland international is out of contract at Juventus at the end of the season and can join another club on a free transfer from July 1. A deal is reportedly in place for Lichtsteiner as new Arsenal boss Unai Emery wants to add an experienced full-back to the team.
Emery has a massive job of steering Arsenal back to the top of the league and may not be satisfied by just signing a right-back. His priority will be to sign a central defender following the Gunners’ horror show this season that saw them concede 51 goals in the league.
The central defence remains a big concern with Laurent Koscielny sidelined for long and Per Mertesacker set to become the manager of the Arsenal academy after his retirement. Barring Shkodran Mustafi, the Gunners have a plethora of young defenders.
Hence, adding an experienced and quality centre-back should be on top of Emery’s wishlist. Going by recent reports, Borussia Dortmund defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos is also close to joining Arsenal.
With Lichtsteiner and Sokratis heavily linked with a move to the Emirates, this is how Arsenal’s defensive line-up could look after fitting in these defenders.
Arsenal defensive lineup
Manager: Unai Emery
Formation: 4-3-3
Petr Cech (GK)
Emery might just keep the veteran goalkeeper for another season despite his inconsistent performance this season.
![](https://soccersouls.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Stefan-Lichtsteiner-1.jpg)
Stephan Lichtsteiner (RB)
Lichtsteiner has been one of the most consistent full-backs in Italy since joining Juventus. Fantastic offensively and equally adept at defending, the 34-year-old may lack the pace and agility but would be such a valuable addition to Arsenal.
Shkodran Mustafi (CB)
After a successful first season at the Emirates, Mustafi was expected to build on it but he failed to do so, enduring a highly underwhelming campaign. The German has good experience and it is high time he steps up in the absence of Koscielny.
![](https://soccersouls.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Sokratis-Papastathopoulos-1024x576.jpg)
Sokratis Papastathopoulos (CB)
Arsenal are badly in need of a leader following Koscielny’s injury. Dortmund’s Sokratis could be the solution to their defensive problems. A leader and a rock at the back, the time is right for the Greece international to move to Arsenal.
Nacho Monreal (LB)
Monreal had a fantastic season with the Gunners, adding a lot of goals to his name. Reliable and consistent, the Spaniard would be Emery’s first-choice at left-back next season.
The 3-5-2 setup
If Emery decides to go with the 3-5-2 formation, partnering Mustafi and Sokratis in central defence would be Calum Chambers.
Chambers has more experience than Rob Holding and Konstantinos Mavropanos and would slot in seemingly well. The wing-backs will be Lichtsteiner and Monreal. This is how they could line up.
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