I play until it verbläst me

you are 35 and still a national player. Other footballer of this age feel when get Up daily your body.
This is not the case for me. Well, is it?

Very good. What is your drive to 35, and for the Switzerland play? And for Arsenal in the Premier League?
I always want to test my limits. I was repeatedly asked if I wanted to not step on the peak. Only: What is the climax in a long and successful career like mine? It is the first Scudetto (League title with Juventus), the second Scudetto, the third, the fifth, the seventh? The highlight is after the first Champions League Final? Or the second? After the age of 50. Countries game, or the 80.?

The last autumn national coach Petkovic has been used to test younger players. They Had Understanding?
Regardless of whether it hits me or the other: it's in The football. The coach wanted the competition to increase, he managed that very well. We now have a broader, better squad. This is important.

a Lot of players in her age, to resign after the world Cup last year. An Option was that you never?
If it would have been so, I would have done it. Of course, I listen to my body, on my head. But as long as it makes me happy, as long as I want to continue to invest everything, I will stay. It is also a question of Character, how you want to assign. There are players who want to be beautiful to cede from a Position of strength. There are others that have the incentive, to continue – perhaps until they are no longer offered. That would be a harder finish...

...but for you, the more honest?
I know That. For me, the resignation came after the world Cup simply out of the question. If I have reached a goal, set a new, higher. This is my challenge. So I've kept it even with the change in the Premier League (last summer Lichtsteiner joined after seven years at Juventus to Arsenal to London).

With your choice, you take the risk to be once the Trainer sorted out.
This is possible, this is one of them. But I could also withdraw early.

it Is vital for you, what is your role in the squad of the national team?
It is not so, that I come only for the national team when I play. That's not my nature. I am a team player and in all sorts of forms for the team. But it is also clear that I take everything to be a regular player.

Where do you see yourself as now in the national team?
As a right-back. (laughs)

And there as a number 1?
The coach decides.

you have set up were for years.
I never had to Think about this. I was set, because I have been in Topclubs a regular player. And now I don't know what I should be afraid. It sounds to me vanity, as beautifully as possible to stop; not to say that I have been displaced. For me, it was never the right approach. I've always said: I have been playing for so long, until it verbläst me. Even the very best have been once supplanted by a Younger. So if the coach says at some point, now games the is a other, not a Problem for me.

do you find it easier to talk that way, because you are 35 and 104 games.
I don't know, because you have not asked me, when I was 25. But Yes: I can answer from a Position of strength, I have a Topkarriere behind me. I play with 35 still in a Topverein. I enjoy it.

Valon Behrami, Blerim Dzemaili and Johan Djourou not more since the world Cup and have not been adopted in glory. This is unfortunate?
It's part of this Business. But I know that you have to get from the coach and the Association, the recognition, even if it went in the medial of hustle and bustle.

record national team player Heinz Hermann has 118 inserts. Is that a goal?
It is a big dream, Yes.

What you give to the national team?
Anything that can bring a top player into the Team. Quality, quantity, Leadership and experience in of all-of all-the highest Level for x number of years.

it Was uncomfortable, as Switzerland played against Belgium last gross, but they were?
Oh no, I have no Problem at all. On the contrary: I was pleased tremendously. The players are very good colleagues, for which I always the Best hope in the national team and also in their Clubs.

For their conditions you play since moving to Arsenal. This will affect their Status in the national team?
on The contrary, I am 35 and still a Manager. In addition, Arsenal has the philosophy that more younger players the Chance to. Since it is difficult to play every Match. Of course it would be easier if I would have the rhythm of regular operations. But a Problem I see.

Like the Premier League football compared to Italy?
Very different. The League is tactically so high, but the pace is tremendous, the physical load is high. There are six of the absolute top teams and a further six that are very good. It is arguably the best League.

you have played for ten years in Italy, felt they were already a half of Italians. How's the family Lichtsteiner in England?
Well. Where: We are all excited to see how it goes with the Brexit. Maybe you kick us out in the morning. (laughs) life is similar to that in Switzerland, The infrastructure is top notch, and the weather varied. Where: It's not so bad. I have no reason to complain.

So, you are soon to be a half-English?
The quality of life was in Italy for us a little better. In an hour we were in the mountains, in a half-hour on the sea, in two hours in Switzerland. But I wanted this adventure in England, I wanted to get out of the comfort zone to a new language, a new culture, a new Club. And we feel very comfortable: The kids can walk to school or the play group. And our daughter speaks English perfectly.

Better than the father?
yeah, Yeah. She speaks with 8 better Italian and better English. I have to give Gas.

your contract with Arsenal runs out. What's next?
I know That. There have been talks with the Club, but I'm not talking about.

Is it your goal to extend with Arsenal?
If both is true, Yes. I have to look how everything develops. I'm fairly loose.

How long can you play? to say
Difficult. If it goes down, it goes relatively quickly. Sure, I could decide to go to the USA.

... or to China.
no, I don't think I would be happy there. I want to move with the children, not two or three times. My claim has always been: I'm doing it right. Or I don't do it at all.

And also if you do not find the conclusion on the climax: What is the most beautiful end in the national team would be for you?
victory in the Nations Cup, European title and 3 goals in the Final. (laughs)

The conversation took place in a round, with several journalists.

(editing Tamedia)

Created: 20.03.2019, 23:16 PM