Arsenal defender hints at summer departure

Arsenal defender Stephan Lichtsteiner has confirmed that he could be parting ways with the club when the season comes to a conclusion.

The 35-year-old was the Gunners' first signing under Unai Emery last year and he was expected to play a back-up to Hector Bellerin in the right-back spot.

However, he has not been able to command a regular role despite the Spaniard's injury in January and he has now acknowledged that it is difficult to stay with the club.

"I see it being quite difficult to stay but we are going to see what happens," he told the London Evening Standard. "I don't know anything. The only important thing is the Europa League final now."

Ainsley Maitland-Niles has been the regular choice in the right wing-back/ right-back role in the absence of Bellerin and the youngster is expected to command a similar position in the Europa League final.

Lichsteiner, whose contract expires at the end of next month, has made just 19 starts for the club this term. Only two of those have resulted since the beginning of March.