Stephan Lichtsteiner has been called up to play for Switzerland over the international break, despite earlier reports that he would be forced out of the team.

Back in early August, various different sources in the Swiss media reported that Stephan Lichtsteiner, Johan Djourou and Gelson Fernandes were all set to follow Valon Behrami in being forced out of the national team. Days after the reports emerged, Fernandes duly announced his exit, seemingly confirming Lichtsteiner was next.

However, despite continued claims in Switzerland that head coach Vladimir Petkovic doesn’t want any of the “established players” to return, he’s called up Lichtsteiner anyway.

https://twitter.com/SFV_ASF/status/1035528278998753281

Perhaps Lichtsteiner’s public refusal to quit the team played a part in the decision. After the retirement reports emerged, the 34-year-old told the media he would “definitely” carry on playing for Switzerland for as long as they keep picking him.

We’ll see if the right-back actually gets game-time on the pitch, but at least the latest squad announcement shows he can continue to be involved in some sense.

As you can see above, Granit Xhaka will also join up with his country over the international break. Good luck to the two Arsenal stars in their matches against Iceland and England.