Ljungberg joins West Ham
The big news today is that Swedish captain Fredrik Ljungberg has left Arsenal to join fellow English club West Ham United for around £3million. Previous speculation suggested that Ljungberg may have joined either Fiorentina or Manchester City but it was Arsenal’s London rivals that eventually got the signature of the current Arsenal squad’s longest serving player. Upon joining West Ham, Ljungberg had some big things to say about the Arsenal Football Club, his home for almost ten years.
“It’s all a bit sad. All the players from the undefeated team have left. Now me. I stayed as I wanted to be loyal, but I felt it was the right time to go. But at the same time I am happy. I want to go forward and with the people I have around me now I think it will be really good. I had great years at Arsenal and won almost everything. Not the Champions League unfortunately. We were so close, but I look back with great memories.”
I know that a lot of Arsenal supporters will agree with Ljungberg’s sentiments that “it was the right time” for him to leave – indeed, this analysis suggests it is the right time – but personally, the Swedish captain’s exit has left me absolutely gutted. Ljungberg has been, by a country mile, my favourite Arsenal player since I started supporting the club over ten years ago and I completely echo manager Arsene Wenger’s comments when he says:
“Freddie’s contribution to Arsenal Football Club was absolutely outstanding. His performances over the past nine seasons have been a major part of the club’s successes during this time, especially in our 2002 ‘double’ year when he scored and created so many goals from midfield. Freddie is a winner and always gave absolutely everything when he played for this club. He is an intelligent player and always combined this well with his fantastic fighting spirit. We thank Freddie for his contribution and wish him well for the future.”
There’s a lovely tribute on the club’s official website looking at Ljungberg’s best moments in an Arsenal shirt that you can find here. The photo I’ve included is a shot of my personal favourite Ljungberg moment; his lovely goal in the smash-and-grab 2-0 win over Liverpool in the 2000/2001 season. The joy I felt when Ljungberg’s slammed Robert Pires’ cross into the back of the net was unbelieveable. Thanks for the memories Freddie and I wish you all the best during your time at West Ham.
Ljungberg exit worries me
I recently ran a poll asking readers whether they thought Arsenal should sell Ljungberg and – interestingly – 57% (including myself) were opposed to the idea. Looking to the future, I believe that if Wenger wants to continue playing 4-4-2 he absolutely must sign a winger before the start of next season and my sentiments are echoed by The Cannon. I have stated time and time again that this is the area that needs a big boost and the exit of Ljungberg – a player who, in my opinion still had the ability to make a difference for Arsenal – highlights this even further.
For me, Alexander Hleb and Tomas Rosicky are not the answers to Arsenal’s wide-man troubles. Good players that they may be, they both consistently play better when deployed more centrally than out wide. It seems that Wenger is now relying on a successful season from Theo Walcott and that worries me because he is still so young. Although Cesc Fabregas came on a little earlier than most Arsenal supporters expected him to, a great season from Walcott should be a bonus for the club rather than a necessity. And in that regard, Arsenal desperately need an experienced wide player to fill the void left by Ljungberg’s departure.
What do you think?
Have your say on Ljungberg’s Arsenal exit by leaving a comment.
well just some more players for you lot
deco is available
juan roman riquelme is available
eidur gudjohnson is available
these are “super, super class players”
deco is too old. Riquelme is a one man team. Doesnt know the meaning of the word team. And since when was Gundjohnsen anything other than a very good striker….
I just want to say that Eboue was a winger before Arsene converted him to RB just to fill the space left by Lauren. He’s already a developed RW, that’s why he’s poor in defending and strong going forward. He crossed well for Henry to score in the match with MANU and his crossings when we played at WHL were great. Don’t forget he crossed for RVP to score that beautiful volley against Charlton, so he’s better going forward than at the back where his weakness in tackling and positioning always show. If he becomes a winger in the coming season then Arsene just wants to exploit his strong points for the good of the team.I’m still appalled by the dig by Freddie on Arsene, while respecting him on the great things he’s done for the club, my view about the guy has changed since yesterday. I realise he’s no different player. You don’t need to attack your previous wife ‘cos you’ve married anew.
Yes, I’ll love for Senderos to move on. He’s never been able to impress me, I rate Djourou more than him. Italy and Spain will be good for him as the league is slow there. The jury is still up there for him though but I don’t think at 23 and being at Arsenal for over 6 years and tons of opportunities given, there is any development left in him. A defensive and a slow moving team will be fine for him.
Arse239.. i would guess that you are a Spurs suporter as you obviously know nothing about football. leave this forum to people with a brain…
Harlan: Good points.. I appreciate Eboue is a converted winger. He was converted to RB becuase he sucks as winger. One of the least techincal players in the squad, he would be spending more time tracking back from having the ball taken off him. I love Eboue, dont get me wrong. Could devlelop into one of the top RB’s in the world. But a winger.. no. Ver little, if any, ability to create space and take players on. His crosses are better now, but when he was taking over from Lauren, as you must remember, his crosses ended up in Fins Park! I have always said that crossing is learned, and obviously he has. I just prefer his crosses from RB!! Sayign that, I would love for him to have a blinding season and help us secure our title!
yep.. Arse239 has confirmed my earlier suspicion…
My predictions for next seasons share of the spoils!
FA-Man Utd
Carling cup- Liverpool/Chelsea
Premiership-Arsenal
Champions League-Arsenal
Obviously this is going to sound controversial to all Man Utd fans but it is not impossible.Will be more than fired up to clear the whole lot next season,Robin Van Persie,Eduardo,Adebayor,Fabragas,Sagna and Walcott will be too much for anyone in Europe to handle.
Stop Worrying! Start Trusting! When Has Wenger Let Us Down?
Do you insult your former wife ‘cos you’ve got a new wife? He talked Dein, Henry and that he made up his mind ‘cos of all these people leaving. I’m telling you Harmers are offering the same wages that’s why he went there not ‘cos believes Harmers will be challenging for the title. He dropped Florentina ‘cos they offered lower wages and City too. The just wanted to stay on the treatment table and on the bench and still collect 70+. Arsene refused he had to take a swipe at him.
Sf, please introduce numbering as it helps with referencing. I like this blog and its really growing. Keep it up.
Alright mate, I’ll look into it. It’s probably a lot easier than I think it is so I’ll check out how it can be done. Thanks for the kind words.
Freddie’s comments were he left cuz Arsenal have no chance of winning the league or European Honors, that West Ham is more ambitious. Freddie aint that good and hasnt been for a least a year now, who cares if he left, he woulda been sittin on the bench for the year anyways so it isnt like he was gonna help win anything. Even if he had experience, experience doesnt help when its sittin on the bench every game with an injury. Arsenal are better off without Freddie, let West Ham pay him for being a cheerleader
Hey there Demetrio, long time no comment. I think the key was always to get Ljungberg fit and that was something that neither the player or Arsenal’s medical staff could get right last year. Whoever signs at West Ham seems to get hurt straight away anyway (Tevez, Neill, Faubert, Ljungberg???) so they’re definitely taking a gamble. If he stays fit he’ll have a good season – if he gets injured then Wenger has made a good choice.
[...] began taking an interest in football, at least to the extent of having pictures of … Ljungberg to West Ham ?Freddie?s contribution to Arsenal Football Club was absolutely outstanding. His performances over [...]
I agree, SF, if he would stay healthy, he could have a big impact, i just dont see him staying fit, seems as tho his body cant take the demands of the Premiership. I also agree with Harlan, i think who said he went foor the money. He would have done much better in Italia, growin up watchin the Messina and the Serie A, to me, it isnt as physical as the Premiership, i think he coulda stayed healthy and had a great season there, but he wouldnt have made the money he was making. I wish the best for Freddie, he gave alot to Arsenal the seasons he played. I dont agree with some of his comments he has made, its very much like Cashley Cole, maybe not as bad but he should just keep his mouth shut and get ready for the new season.
I just don’t agree that he went for the money. His comments just weren’t as bad as the media have made out in my opinion. Have a read of the full interview and you’ll see what I mean. I honestly think the reasons for his departure to West Hamwere (1) a new challenge (2) he knows he’s not getting any younger, and (3) he wanted to stay in London, where his home is. I just think some of the comments about him have been too harsh (not yours in particular, but the general feeling around town).
I agree about people being too harsh, we cant forget what he did for the club. A few of his comments i dont like, but i will always be grateful to Freddie, he played hard every game he played. I think its a good move to let him go, again i dont see him stayin healthy for long, i think he’ll pick up an injury and will have trouble recovering from it. I wish the best for him….. until he plays Arsenal!
Yeah! Hopefully he won’t dive to win any penalties against us they way he would during his time at Arsenal. I lost count of the number of penalties he won through his tendancy to go to ground!
SF-I don’t like that your Freddie guy now and I’m sure you know why. He didn’t go to Hammers, Arsene kicked him out ‘cos he didn’t fit in his plans. He was asked to go but knowing Arsene the gentleman, he won’t comment about it. He was booted out and he’s bitter. He wanted to continue to stay not ‘cos he loved Arsenal the weekly 70+ was better for him than playing in Italy and getting 35+ so he preferred to stay. So when Hammers came and promised to maintain his wages he took it. He talked about Dein and Henry leaving influencing his decision which was a big lie ‘cos Arsene wanted to offload him way back in January when Henry and Dein were still at post. I don’t the guy anymore ‘cos of his stupid comments. i don’t think he’ll get a hero’s welcome if he returns to the Emirates. A big liar and another traitor.
“SF-I don’t like that your Freddie guy now and I’m sure you know why”
Sorry, I don’t understand this. He’s definitely not a traitor and I really encourage you to read the entire interview – he’s not lying either in my opinion.
no comment
It appears Eboue will be playing on the right wing rather than right back and wenger has given the clearest indication yet -
wenger: “In the wide positions we can play Alexander Hleb, Theo Walcott, Tomas Rosicky and Emmanuel Eboue.
“I am just looking to develop the players we have here already”
.
“All these players are on their way up. They are not over the hill.
“Their level is still rising and they are getting better and better.”
http://home.skysports.com/list.aspx?hlid=478401&CPID=8&clid=3&lid=2&title=Wenger+watches+spending+spree
Yes, I read that comment so it’s clear that he’ll not bring anyone to replace Freddie. My problem with current Arsenal play is the loss of our famed counterattacking abilities and this is mainly not helped by Hleb’s style of play. Hleb don’t move the ball forward but cuts in and at times bring it back and eventually lose it. His minimal role in the two matches showed glimpses of our counterattacking capabilities as Theo ran on the lines and sent in decent crosses. If we get a good LM who has pace or Reyes changes his mind then we can restore that quality of ours which is now missing our play. Remember it helped to score many goals through Freddie and Pires. So in the RM, I’ll tip Eboue and Theo to provide our major requirements this season.
[...] mentioned in yesterday’s post that I thought the exit of Swedish midfielder Fredrik Ljungberg drastically reduced Arsenal’s [...]
How much have they spent the arsenal for next season? More than Barca?
jème bocou wallcott je sui son fan