The ever-growing list of Arsenal legends returning to the club will be enlarged by the arrival of the Invincible Freddie Ljungberg. He has been assistant coach at Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga with will now take his place as head coach of our under-23 team. Per Mertesacker, the new head of the Arsenal Academy, said: “It’s great to have Freddie back at the club. He brings great footballing experience and the highest possible levels of enthusiasm, energy and encouragement for our young professionals.
“He understands the club’s values and how important it is to give young players the opportunity to grow and develop. When Freddie left for Wolfsburg it was with the club’s blessing and with a return to Arsenal some day in mind. Everyone knows Freddie loves the club and we look forward to him developing his career with us.”
Freddie can only command respect from his charges once in place after being named as Premier League Player of the Season in 2001/02 and winning two titles and three FA Cups with the Gunners in his heyday.
Freddie is also happy at getting the job. “I’m delighted to be returning to the club,” he said. “Arsenal has always been a special place for me and I’m really excited at this opportunity to work with our under-23 team.
“I look forward to working with the talented young players we have at the club. I know many of them well and will work hard to help them continue developing and become the best players and people they can be.”
There is definitely a lot of working going into building a new team to get more academy players ready to step up to the first team. Let’s hope they do a better job than the last lot!
Darren N