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Still sore at his departure, Ljungberg lashes out at Arsenal and Wenger
Last updated at 01:13am on 04.06.08
Former Arsenal star Freddie Ljungberg last night revealed for the first time the bitterness behind his departure from the Gunners and his fall-out with Arsene Wenger.
The 31-year-old Swede accused Wenger of forcing him to play while injured, of being militaristic in his approach and not telling him he was up for sale.
Happier times: Ljungberg with Wenger at the peak of his Arsenal career
And he revealed he stayed in English football - despite offers from a number of Italian clubs - just so he could play against Arsenal.
In an interview with Russian newspaper Sport Den Za Dnem, the Sweden captain told of his frustration at Wenger's approach.
He said: "It's all about my injuries. Wenger simply doesn't like those who show a weakness. With him, you generally feel as if you were in the army - it's only in public that he may appear to be some sort of man of liberal views. In reality, his belief is natural selection. The truth is I picked up a knock doing my job and following Wenger's instructions. I always played like this and, at some point, ran out of luck.
"So while I was being treated for the injury, they went out and found a different player for my position.
"After I recovered, I was given a chance in the typical Wenger way: I was expected to run and intercept and score just the same as before. He just didn't give me enough time to do it properly. I had no time."
Once Wenger had made up his mind, Ljungberg says he was put on the transfer list without being told. He said: "I was offended when all of a sudden I learned from the papers that Wenger was ready to consider offers for me from other clubs. No-one had talked to me about that.
"And also I still feel a bit offended about Arsenal. They showed the door to too many people. Why did they let Thierry Henry go? When I found out about his move, I realised that the Arsenal I used to play for was finished.
"So I went to West Ham in order to play against Arsenal as often as possible.
"I wanted to prove that Freddie Ljungberg hadn't had his last word as a player.
"And at West Ham, no one gives you a puzzled look if you get called up for your national team and players are never asked to play on injections.
"I would like to stay there - if they offer of course."
Reader views (17)
Freddie was a fantastic player in 2002 and his efforts that season will never be forgotten but the poor guy seems not to be able to accept the fact that he is simply not good enough for Arsenal anymore and evidently not for West Ham either. I'm disappointed that he drags Henry's name in this as I believe that Thierry has a little more sense. He realised that his best days were behind him and he decided to go and get his big pay day in Barcelona. Henry has never bad mouthed Arsenal and he even expressed in Interviews that there is only 1 club for him. Sorry Freddie but just like Ian Wright and a number of other ex-gunners, you seem determined to burn your bridges with the only club where you had any success. When you look back at your career, I hope you remember those happy memories of winning trophies and playing in finals with West Ham.
- Raj, South London
C'mon Fred.....Get over it!...
- Hugh Janus, uk
I seem to recall Freddie making a big deal about how he wanted to leave Arsenal to join a club with more ambition ... either this article is pretty much made up or Freddie is a very sad individual indeed who has forever tarnished his reputation amongst fans that might have been prepared to forgive his previously over the top comments when he joined West Ham. He can't seriously expect us to believe these comments about Wenger the Tyrant when so many others are in complete contradiction? Whatever the case, at the end of the day, no player can seriously expect a place in the team to be kept open for them until they are fully fit to return to top form and competition for places is what drives excellence. He left because he knew he couldn't compete. Fact.
- Rick, Mevagissey, Cornwall
Nothing but sour grapes from a once-great player that is now struggling to come to terms with the fact that he's past it.
Nobody can really take him or these comments seriously after he left Arsenal for West Ham - a club which had 'more ambition.'
- Jason Santiago Sanchez, Cape Town, SA
Typical deluded and confused Freddie. The world belongs to the young and the fit; evidently you do not meet any of those categories. We had some wonderful memories, remember the fa cup final, I certainly do but to come out with these statements is a show of insolence, bitterness and ignorance.
Where were you before Wenger recognised your talents and turned you into a world beater and a millionaire for kicking a round ball? I can’t even remember. Players like you are the main reason I am falling out of love with the game.
Appreciate the life Wenger and football has provided you and move on. It would have been more humble if you realised that your talents were diminishing due to age and not have tried to blame an educated man for your downfall.
- David, Kent
How many appearances did you make for West Ham last year Freddie?
- Gilbo, Douglas, Isle of Man
Freddie, you're making yourself sound very bitter. The truth of the matter is you haven't got what it takes anymore so instead of having a needless dig at your former club you should concentrate the fact you only scored a couple of goals for your new team.
- Jc, london
Freddie was a wonderful player in his time at Arsenal and all the fans are grateful for his contribution to our success. In his final season it was quite obvious that his time was up at Arsenal and it is a shame that he couldn't move on gracefully. He claimed he had left as we lacked ambition, only to turn up at West Ham, hardly champions league contenders!
- Rob Gooner, London, England
You were past it when you left Freddie, stop being a whingy, bitter ex-world class player and move on.
- Ntg, kidderminster, UK
Worst buy of the year, so no more!
- Gaz, London
Wise up Fred. You were well past your 'sell by date' when we off loaded you.
And as for TH14 being sold-Arsenal became a unit that worked for each
other,and helped improve other players all round game.
For eg. Hleb and Rosicky became better team players,rather than looking
For Henry all the time! So Frederick I'd put a 'sock in it' if I were you,and carry on (earning?) your £80,000 a week.
- Graham Wright, London U.K.
Freddie was great player for Arsenal - but the truth is he became too slow for the fast-passing game they now play. The goals dried up, his timing and power-running evaporated and he became extremely mediocre. Ask any West Ham fan if they want Ljungberg in their team. It will be a unanimous 'no'. for him to come out and say what he has against a team and a manger who turned him into a world superstar (who knew Ljungberg prior to Arsenal?) is frankly a disgrace. He owes everything to Wenger, but clearly the swede has no class or dignity. West Ham reserves is his about his level. Enjoy.
- Jackson E, london
I actually find this quite funny! Is he really still so bitter? What a child! He seriously needs to grow up.
- Franny, London
Dude, you hadn't beaten a man for years! You occasionally won a throw. You were great, but you have to accept reality.
- David, london
Freddie you were great at the beginning for the Gunners when you played quite regularly, but later on you hardly played through injury (no fault of your own) and Arsenal were paying you quite a lot of lolly. So the boss had to do what he had to do, and as it turned out he was right because you've hardly turned out for West Ham this season. Once again I stress not your fault. Anyway thank you for all you did when you did turn out for us.
- Goona, Lowestoft UK
Freddie you were a great servant to the club but come on. You hadn't contributed anything of note for two seasons before you were sold. And who do you think you're kidding as to your reasons for going to West Ham, you went there because their offer was way beyond what the next best club were prepared to offer, here or abroad. We loved you Freddie but comments like these only serve to taint those fantastic memories.
- Wenger Knows, London
Isn't it sad when an ex-player shows such bitterness? Most Arsenal fans realised Freddie was past his best for the two seasons before he left. It was only Wenger's loyalty that kept him in the team, in hindsight we should have let him go and kept Bentley!
- Bridgers, newport, essex
