Stephan Lichtsteiner has confirmed that he will leave Arsenal when his current contract expires at the end of June, after the club decided against taking up the option of a one-year renewal.
Lichtsteiner, 35, joined Arsenal on a free transfer last summer after leaving Juventus and it was hoped the veteran full-back would provide competition for first-choice Héctor Bellerín.
However he failed to prove to Unai Emery that he was an adequate replacement for the Spaniard, making just 14 Premier League appearances and falling behind youngster Ainsley Maitland-Niles in the pecking order.
The Swiss international was an unused substitute in last week’s Europa League final in Baku, Azerbaijan, which Arsenal lost to Chelsea 4-1.
Lichtsteiner wrote a message to the club’s supporters on his Instagram page in which he reflected upon a “new chapter” in the club’s history and expressed his disappointment with the heavy defeat by Chelsea.
He wrote: “We were close to add an important chapter to this amazing club's history. But to be close ... is unfortunately not good enough. This is hard to accept. I'm very disappointed.
“It was our objective to bring Arsenal back on the highest international level and to win trophies. Both belong to this great club. I wish my teammates, my coach and his staff, all hard-working employees and all Gunner fans simply the best!
“I'm confident our team can complete our mission next season! I loved to be a part of this club.
“It was a great challenge and experience without a happy end, unfortunately. Thank you very much for your overwhelming support! It was much appreciated!'
Aaron Ramsey and Danny Welbeck will also leave Arsenal when their contracts expire at the end of the month, with the former set to join Juventus.
Petr Cech has meanwhile retired, while Denis Suárez is due to return to Barcelona following his underwhelming loan spell.
