Arsenal's Armenian midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan (L) celebrates with Arsenal's Swiss defender Stephan Lichtsteiner after scoring their second goal during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Southampton at the Emirates Stadium in London on February 24, 2019. (Photo by Ian KINGTON / AFP)

Arsenal Gossip

Stephan Lichtsteiner: I’ve begun talks over Arsenal extension but it depends if I can play regularly

Mar 22, 2019

Stephan Lichtsteiner says he has begun talks with Arsenal over a contract extension, but he doesn’t want to stay if he’s not going to play regularly.

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 28: Petr Cech of Arsenal (L) and Stephan Lichtsteiner of Arsenal arrive at the stadium prior to the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Arsenal FC at Selhurst Park on October 28, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) — LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 28: Petr Cech of Arsenal (L) and Stephan Lichtsteiner of Arsenal arrive at the stadium prior to the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Arsenal FC at Selhurst Park on October 28, 2018, in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

Speaking to Swiss outlet Blick, Lichtsteiner answered questions about his future with the national team and Arsenal. At 35 years old, with his initial Gunners deal coming to an end this summer, it’s certainly not guaranteed that the right-back will still be playing his football at the Emirates Stadium next season.

The former Juventus man revealed: “A conversation has taken place (over an extension). You know that I will not reveal details now. But it has to be right for both sides. What’s more important: to stay at Arsenal for another year or to play a major role in the European Championship? It would be important for me to play regularly.

“That went pretty well this season. But if it seems that the coach has other priorities, then I have to ask myself the question: Do I still want to do that in terms of the European Championship? I take it as it comes. I am in a good position.”

As Lichtsteiner says, he’s had a decent amount of game time this season. With 21 appearances in all competitions (17 starts), he’s taken advantage of Hector Bellerin’s injury problems to play pretty regularly.

Unfortunately, the full back is yet to convince the Arsenal fans that he deserves another year on the wage bill. After a number of poor performances early on in the season, he only recently found some good form, only to fall injured immediately afterwards.

Currently, it seems Ainsley Maitland-Niles is preferred over the Swiss international, and Bellerin probably will be too when he returns. If that does end up forcing him out of the club this summer, let’s hope he can leave on a high with some positive performances to help Arsenal achieve their goals in the coming months.