It might not be glamorous, but in Stephan Lichtsteiner Arsenal have their first signing of the post-Wenger era.

The Swiss international has arrived on a free transfer after leaving Juventus and immediately spoke of his ambitions during his unveiling at London Colney.

"It’s great for me after Juventus to come to Arsenal and have this big challenge to make big things [happen] with this big club," he said, via the club's official website.

In spite of the 34-year-old's age, Emery must be pleased to have accrued such a versatile veteran - but as they say, there's no rest for the wicked.

Attention immediately turns to who else will be coming through the doors, though it's pretty certain a deal for Borussia Dortmund centre-back Sokratis Papastathopoulos will be completed soon.

There has also been significant speculation linking the Gunners with Steven N’Zonzi. While the midfielder never really captured the imagination of English football fans at Blackburn or Stoke, since joining Sevilla he has been thoroughly impressive.

The fact he has worked with Emery before is obviously a big plus and Didier Deschamps' decision to take him to the World Cup at the expense of players like PSG's Adrien Rabiot will only get Arsenal fans more excited.

His current club have a message for Arsenal

Sevilla are understandably reluctant to talk to the north Londoners, however, and their director of football Joaquin Caparros has now warned that the only way the 29-year-old will leave is if his €40million release clause is activated, as they aren't prepared to negotiate. 

“Is that a rumour or is it true?" he told Radio Sevilla, in an interview brought to our attention by Goal.

“Has Unai Emery called you? Well, as a successful man, Unai Emery knows what line the club keeps.

“If he wants N’Zonzi, he will have to call and put the bid in. And the bid is the clause. If you put that bid in, then there are no more negotiations [over the fee].

“We could even extend the contract, if the coach gives the green light. Everything is possible.”

It's 18 months since N'Zonzi last committed to Sevilla and that contract supposedly keeps him in La Liga until 2020.

Although on the face of it, €40m is a lot of money for a central midfielder of his age, he does seem to have matured as a player as the years have gone by and Emery has clearly been impressed by him in the past.

Arsenal fans will no doubt feel this is a major test of the board's commitment to the new era and many supporters will be imploring Gazidis and co. to back their new manager all the way.

Should Arsenal pay his release clause? Have your say in the comments.