Freddie Ljungberg was, and still is, an Arsenal legend. What better way to introduce yourself on your debut than by scoring a goal minutes into your first match against Manchester United?
Ljungberg was an attacking midfielder who gave his all every game he played. He could play on either flank but it was his runs from deep which would cause mayhem in the opposition box that set him apart from the rest. These would be timed to perfection and before the defence knew what was happening Freddie had popped up and scored another goal.
The Swede arrived at the club after a successful Euro 98, signing for £3m from Swedish club Halmstads BK. Arsenal scouts had been watching him for over a year and after Arsene Wenger saw Ljungberg on television terrorising the England defence. Arsenal had seen enough of what the special Swede could offer and made their move.
The double winning season in 2001/02 was a fantastic season for Ljungberg, appearing in 39 games and scoring 17 goals, even scoring the delightful second goal against Chelsea in the FA Cup Final win. Arsenal won 2-0 on the day to complete the double. In the league that season he had scored some vital goals. His goal against Manchester United in a 3-1 win, and against challengers Liverpool twice. He scored one and gained a penalty at Anfield in a 2-1 win as well as one in the 1-1 draw at home. Arsenal won the league by seven clear points, with Liverpool in second place. Ljungberg was ‘Barclays Player of the Season’ that year and it was no surprise, he was almost unplayable with his deep runs.
But deep runs are useless, unless you can finish, and Ljungberg’s ability to finish was excellent. The amount of goals he scored running from deep and bursting through before slotting past the goalkeeper was phenomenal.
In his time at the club he won the Premier League twice and the FA Cup three times. In the Premier League win in 2003/04, he was part of the Invincible’s squad.
He had built a telepathic understanding with Dennis Bergkamp, Thierry Henry and Robert Pires over the years. They always seemed to know when Ljungberg was going to be bursting through and managed to find the Swedish international time and time again.
Fans loved him, not just for his attacking play but down to being a bit of an extrovert. His red hair and ever changing hair styles and tattoos marked Freddie Ljungberg out as different and the fans adored him for that.
As the seasons progressed, unfortunately so did the injuries for the Swede, and he was eventually sold to West Ham United in July 2007.
Ljungberg made 328 appearances for the club, scoring 72 goals. He was a fantastic player with great technical ability and the composure of a striker in front of goal.
He always seemed to play the game with a smile on his face and was a true fan favourite. But what a player to have on the pitch, who would appear out of nowhere, to grab a vital goal for your team.
A nightmare for the opposition, a dream for Arsenal Football Club. I can’t wait to see the next Freddie Ljungberg appear at the club, but maybe there will only ever be one Freddie Ljungberg.
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