Arsenal wanted Jonny Evans in January and the West Brom defender could still be exactly what Unai Emery needs.
Unai Emery hailed the “leadership and experience” of Stephan Lichtsteiner after making the Switzerland international his first signing since becoming Arsenal head coach.
Speaking to the official website after confirming the capture of Lichtsteiner from Juventus on a free transfer, Emery said: “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.”
It is a lack of a leader, particularly in defence, that the Gunners have been greatly criticised for over a number of years and while the addition of the right-back will help address that, centrally improvement is still needed.
Laurent Koscielny is out until at least December with an Achilles injury, as confirmed by Arsene Wenger to the Independent before leaving his position as manager, while Per Mertesacker has retired and doubts remain over the capability of Shkodran Mustafi.
This leaves the inexperienced Calum Chambers, Rob Holding and Konstantinos Mavropanos as options at centre-back, so at least one new signing in the position seems inevitable.
Who to target?
On deadline day during the January transfer window, the Gunners had a £12m bid for Jonny Evans rejected by West Bromwich Albion – as reported at the time by the BBC.
Evans is now available for just £3m due to a clause in his Baggies contract that was activated when the club were relegated from the Premier League and Leicester City are currently leading the race for the 30-year-old’s signature.
While the defender was a target for Wenger, perhaps Emery should consider the Frenchman’s approach and move to bring in the Northern Ireland international with his cost, leadership skills and experience ticking all the boxes.
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