Stephan Lichtsteiner insists he doesn’t regret leaving former club Juventus, despite Cristiano Ronaldo joining in the summer and Arsenal’s slow start.

For much of the current Juventus squad, this is probably a very exciting time to be at the club. Ronaldo’s arrival could give them the boost they need to challenge in the Champions League, and Lichtsteiner says he’s backing them to do so after previous disappointments.

“I hope Juventus win the Champions League, they deserve it after losing two finals,” he said.

Meanwhile, Arsenal slipped to defeat against Manchester City on Sunday, with Lichtsteiner making his debut at left-back after an injury to Ainsley Maitland-Niles. However, the Swiss international insists that whatever Juventus achieve now, he doesn’t regret leaving, and his focus is fully on his new club.

“Ronaldo? I don’t regret leaving because that was what I wanted. I wanted a new challenge. Anyone would be happy to join Juventus, but now it’s Arsenal who count.”

Usually you would have reason to doubt statements like this, but in Lichtsteiner’s case it makes sense. He won seven league titles in a row with Juventus, and was at the end of his contract after a season where he was rarely first choice.

The right-back could’ve signed a new deal and likely sat on the bench watching Juventus challenge for the major honours, but this was his last real chance to experience a new league with a new team.

Clearly he’ll get opportunities on the pitch with Arsenal as well, as we’ve already seen after one game. Hopefully he has a successful time with the Gunners in the end.