Freddie Ljungberg: A Gooner through and through

The ambidextrous winger and make-shift second striker could ruffle up the opposing full backs with his perfectly timed runs along either flank and slot a few past the keeper as well. As he retires from the sport, it’s time to turn back the clock and take a glimpse into this terrorizing winger’s career.

Ljungberg begun his footballing career at the age of 12, playing for Swedish club Halmstads BK. He was part of the team that went on to win the Swedish cup and the league in the next season, making 139 appearances in total and scoring 16 goals. He almost didn’t make the U-21 Swedish side because the coach thought he was too short, but when he did he made it count. He scored 2 goals on his U-21 debut against Denmark and two more against Scotland in the same year, thereby establishing himself as a regular. By then, big teams were lining up to sign him. However, Arsene Wenger watched him terrorise the English defense in an international and was convinced that he could handle the Premier League and signed him up in 1998, and Ljungberg packed his bags and moved to London, where he played to his full potential under the watchful Arsene Wenger.

Freddie Ljungberg is one player Gooners have always held close to their hearts. They knew he was special when he scored on his debut after coming off the bench against rivals Manchester United and if that wasn’t enough, he dyed his hair red to pledge his loyalty to the team. The fans loved it. They loved him so much as to vote him as the 11th in a poll of 50 greatest Gunners and Ljungberg made it to the Arsenal dream team as well. He was plagued by injuries but he made up for lost ground in his performances and had a special affinity for scoring in high-stake games and is one of the “invincibles”. He paired up astonishingly well with Dutchman Dennis Bergkamp who was at the end of many of his crosses, making their communication almost seem telepathic. Ljungberg left Arsenal for West Ham in 2007 after serving the club for 9 years, arguably his best, where he racked up 72 goals in 328 appearances.

Ljungberg signed a four year deal with West Ham but didn’t play out his contract. Things just didn’t work out and after just one season, West Ham asked him to terminate his contract. He captained Sweden in the 2008 Euros and though they were knocked out early, many considered him to be the pick of the Swedish players. He announced his international retirement shortly after the tournament. He remained a free agent in the summer and later joined the MLS, playing for Seattle Sounders FC and later Chicago Fire. He was fairly successful in the MLS and moved to Celtic in 2010 where he hardly played and then to the Japanese league the following year, where he quit by mutual consent in February 2012.

Ljungberg decided to call time on his professional career after he left the Japanese side Shimizu S-pulse and remained without a club. He said that he made the decision after thinking about it during the period. Gooners have always welcomed back their favorite players and it is being rumored in some circles that Freddie may return to the Emirates in a coaching role. Thank you Freddie for adding some color to the game. You are Invincible.