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Arsenal interim boss Freddie Ljungberg. PA
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Ljungberg remaining coy about taking Arsenal job full-time

The interim manager will be hoping to start his tenure with a win against Norwich City tomorrow.

FREDDIE LJUNGBERG WILL will take charge of Arsenal for the first time as interim manager against Norwich City tomorrow but admitted he is unsure whether full-time management appeals to him.

The 42-year-old Swede – who was a member of the Arsenal ‘Invincibles’ side under Arsene Wenger in the 2003/04 season – has been put in charge after Unai Emery’s undistinguished 18 month reign came to an end yesterday

However, Ljungberg – who was an assistant to Emery – said it was too early to say whether being a manager on a permanent basis would be to his liking.   

“We’ll see in the future. At the moment I’m learning the trade. This is a big responsibility and the moment I’m just taking it game by game,” he said.

“It’s a great, great honour. That’s how I feel. I feel this energy inside of me. It’s special.

“Of course there’s sadness because of what’s happened to the club and where we are, but also excitement for what we can do for the future and also for tomorrow.

“Its a great honour and that’s what I said to the players – ‘you guys do the job and I’ll try to help and support you’. If you play good football and get results then there’s nothing better than that to raise spirits.”

Ljungberg’s first task will be to arrest the slump that has seen the Gunners fail to win in seven matches – their worst run since 1992 when George Graham’s side failed to win in eight.

Arsenal are presently eighth in the Premier League table, eight points off the fourth and final Champions League spot with a third of the league campaign gone.

Ljungberg – who played over 200 games for Arsenal in his nine years at the club and won the FA Cup on three occasions – has revealed no timescale has been set for his spell as Emery’s temporary replacement.

“No, no indication of how long or how short. They just said concentrate on your next game do as well as you can.”

- © AFP 2019

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