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.
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.
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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