PLAYER PROFILE

Freddie Ljungberg

Position: Midfield

Height: 5'9

Weight: 11st 7lbs

Date of Birth: 1977-04-16 Halmstads, Sweden

Freddie Ljungberg

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger took the unusual step of authorising the signing of Freddie Ljungberg having watched the Swedish International face, and beat, England on television. It seemed a strange way to complete business for such a methodical manager, but having already heard good things about the midfielder Wenger was just waiting to see how he would cope against English opponents - and he passed the test with flying colours.

Ljungberg officially made Arsenal his second club in September 1998, after spending all his previous time at Swedish outfit BK Halmstad - where he made 139 appearances and scored 16 goals. His scoring record for the Gunners has been more impressive.

The Swedish international is most comfortable in midfield where and since the departure of Petit and Overmars, Ljungberg has been a regular in the Gunners starting line-up, cementing his first team place to the point where Wenger is at pains to leave him out. The arrival of yet more midfielders in the Arsenal football squad just spurred the popular Swede on, and despite constant injury problems he scored nine goals in just 29 starts for Arsenal in the 2002/03 season.

He played a crucial part in their FA Cup success once again, playing in the final and grabbing the winner in the semi-final against Sheffield United.

In 2003/04, his campaign was interrupted by an ankle injury in October, though he still managed to play a major role in Arsenal's title triumph. He scored 10 goals for the Gunners, including a crucial strike against Lokomotiv Moscow in the Champions League.

In Euro 2004, he found the scoresheet in Sweden's first match, the 5-0 thrashing of Bulgaria. He was slightly fortunate to score his penalty in their quarter-final shoot-out against Holland, but to no avail as they were knocked out anyway.

In the 2004/05 season, Ljungberg had a quietly efficient season. He was a regular fixture in the Arsenal side, making 38 appearances and scoring 14 goals.

Sadly, Ljungberg's season was hampered by health problems. He suffered migrane problems around Christmas-time which kept him out for a few games. More seriously, he revealed in May 2005 that he endured several cancer tests after complaining of pains in his hip. Thankfully, it turned out to be a pain caused by swollen glands. Ljungberg braved through these problems to help his team to FA Cup glory.

However, his season may best be remebered for his role in the Sixth Round of the same competiton against Bolton. Despite scoring what would turn out to the winner in the opening minutes, he went on, in the climax to the game, to miss a sitter: an open goal from no more than six yards out.

He once again proved his worth in the Swedish national set-up, playing eight internationals and scoring five as the Swedes strived for success in their World Cup qualifying group.

Once at the tournament, however, both Ljungberg and the Swedish side underwhelmed, eventually suffering defeat to hosts Germany in the second round - although he did score the winner against Paraguay in what turned out to be the Swedes' only victory of the tournament.

It proved to be a frustrating season on the domestic front as well. Although he eventually made 36 appearances for the Gunners, scoring twice, a recurring calf strain meant Ljungberg never quite hit peak form consistently.

It was the same story in the 2006/07 season as he played just 22 games in an underwhelming season for the Gunners. At the end of it, there was much speculation about his future at the club, and in July 2007 he left, joining Ljungberg for an undisclosed fee.