Swiss midfielder Stephan Lichtsteiner confirmed on Monday that he will be leaving Arsenal and speaking recently he admitted that retirement is an option, as is staying in England.

Stephan Lichtsteiner was out of contract with Arsenal this summer and while the club had an option to extend his deal for another year, they opted against taking it. As such, he was free to leave in June and has already said his goodbyes.

The 35-year-old was included in Arsenal’s 24-man squad for the Europa League final but didn’t get the chance to get on the pitch.

“In the final phase, I would like to have brought in my experience,” Lichtsteiner told Blick before the game. “The coach has decided otherwise. With this, you have to live as a professional.

“My challenge and goal here from the start was: qualify for the Champions League and win a title.

“The only important thing is that we win on Wednesday.”

So where will he go now?

That’s hard to say. There haven’t been many stories linking him with a move to anywhere specific, but that’s probably more to do with the fact nobody really cares enough to write about him than a lack of interest from other clubs. The player quite likes the idea of staying in England but hasn’t ruled out retiring either.

“I enjoy football here. It was not easy to adapt. I needed time,” he said. “[It’s] wilder, less tactical, played with an extremely high rhythm.

“I’m actually open to everything. I would like to add at least one more year [in England] but have very clear ideas and objectives.

“My family plays a key role in decision-making.”

It was evident all season that Lichtsteiner no longer has the legs for the game at this level but he believes he can play on.

“My values ​​are first-class. I’m fit,” he said and with a summer free from football (he won’t play for Switzerland in the Nations Cup) he will have plenty of time to rest and find a new home.