Sporting Life sporlife

Ljungberg Hits Out At Wenger

Wed 04 Jun, 01:09 PM


West Ham midfielder Freddie Ljungberg has criticised former boss Arsene Wenger over the way he was handled towards the end of his time at Arsenal.

Ljungberg claims the public perception of Wenger as "some sort of man of liberal views" is wrong and has revealed he found the Frenchman to have a militaristic style of management.

The Sweden international has also expressed his frustration at being forced to play while injured, and believes Wenger should have given him more time to rediscover his best form.

He said in the Daily Express: "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 is only in public that he may appear to be some sort of man of liberal views.

"While I was being treated for an 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."

Ljungberg left the Emirates for Upton Park last summer but claims he was never told he was up for sale.

He explained: "I was offended when all of a sudden I learnt from the papers Wenger was ready to consider offers for me from other clubs. No one had talked to me.

"Arsenal showed the door to too many people. Why did they let Thierry Henry go?

"When I found out about his move I realised the Arsenal I played for were finished."

Ljungberg stayed in the Premier League so he could show Arsenal he still had a lot to offer.

The 31-year-old insists he is happy at West Ham and is now looking to commit his future to the club.

"I went to West Ham in order to play against Arsenal as often as possible. I wanted to prove that Ljungberg hadn't had his last word as a player.

"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."

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  1. ljungberg was amazing at one time, but he did fade after coming back from his injury, only he knows the reasons really. maybe he's just past his best now. whether what he's saying about wenger is true, its very unprofessional to talk like this publicly. not only that, but should take time to remember what arsene did to boost his career. ljungberg is getting on now, it was only natural for wenger to want a replacement for him eventually.

    but it does seem to happen with quite a lot of players around this age at arsenal though: henry, campbell, vieira, pires, lauren, petit...

    racheal_love21, pathetic.

    From Non, on Thu 5 Jun 1:09PM
  2. Lungberg-for injuries or off form or both I remember him.Frustration/truma at West Ham should be your new blessings unlike at Arsenal where you were manufactured into a player for 9 years.To know what you do not know makes you better and wise and, that is to Know Arsenal and Arsen Wenger. Anjelous.

    From lagu, on Thu 5 Jun 10:36AM
  3. freddie is a liar.u @#$%.wenger always treat his players well so to my point he is a liar.arsenal didn t need him,we have fabregas,hleb(unsure)rosicky.even if hleb leaves,the prof will surely replace him with a better player.when you wach the 2007-8 premier league,did they need him?NO.they had flamini,hleb,fabregas and rosicky!

    From muhd.ridhwaan, on Thu 5 Jun 5:33AM
  4. Freddie was a good signing for Arsenal no doubts,but time caught up with him.and so did his physical abillities on the pitch.Shame he has a gripe about the boss.He should remember who made him a world class star......it cetainly was not any other manager other than Mr Wenger.Come on Feddie admit it your not so popular now at WEST HAM

    From tigeron, on Wed 4 Jun 5:47PM
  5. i liked freddie until now, he was @#$% hot for us but lost it with the distuinguishin hair do. he will do @#$% at west ham and shouldnt try to tell wenger how to run his team. i think he could really benefit from takin a leaf out of gilbertos book and jus shut your mouth and gettin @#$% on with it and play good footy. i cant wait to see who wenger brings in this season, coz he will most definitely be able to replace that scandanavian nancy boy

    From farren2@..., on Wed 4 Jun 4:29PM
  6. Freddie ! Why oh why do it to yourself ? You had your time, your form went ! Your legs went ! It was time you went ! I'm glad to hear Wenger is a tyrant ! People are not as successful as him without a ruthless streak ! Perhaps you should start protecting your Arsenal legend status ? Stop bad mouthing the club that made you mate !!!!!!!!

    From RICK, on Wed 4 Jun 3:30PM
  7. freddie is a @#$% @#$%
    he is @#$% player and he joined west ham n that will make them @#$%
    im a arsenal supporter and im glad he gone

    From arsenaladam1, on Wed 4 Jun 2:42PM
  8. well let him say what he likes so far that he left us for another club and is still hve the got to talk to coach is a big shame to him, he sud hve prove himself at west ham after all he played all the part of last session with injury.

    From taiwo, on Wed 4 Jun 2:32PM
  9. I am Swedish and I think Freddie is a jack @#$%.He is always injured there are times when he was at Arsenal that in a game he just got a small hit and would asked the manager to take him off,he would never try to run it off for the team.He is a wimp and he is not grateful for the 9 years he spent a arsenal.If I was a arsenal player I would kick is @#$%.

    Roland

    From Roland, on Wed 4 Jun 1:36PM
  10. Lungberg must be the funniest guy I ever knew.He's a real wimp! For heavens sake, how does he expect to keep his place when he's alwaz on the treatment table.Even better players know its not possible.He should just shut up and concentrate on being of much better service to his new club, afterall he hardly played a game for 'em last season.

    From cesc s, on Wed 4 Jun 1:32PM
  11. I am Swedish and I think Freddie is a jack @#$%.He is always injured there are times when he was at Arsenal that in a game he just got a small hit and would asked the manager to take him off,he would never try to run it off for the team.He is a wimp and he is not grateful for the 9 years he spent a arsenal.If I was a arsenal player I would kick is @#$%.

    From Roland, on Wed 4 Jun 1:32PM
  12. I hate it when ex players who have failed at other clubs try to blame the arsenal
    it sounds like very sour grapes after all it was reported that he was doing so WELL!! AT wEST HAM THEY WANTED TO PAY-UP HIS CONTRACT,
    all i say is zip it freddie

    From LEX, on Wed 4 Jun 1:25PM
  13. Lungberg must be wimp! How does he want a club to keep you when it is obvious that you are injury prone? Moreover, someone has to over your position when you are out injured! does it expect a vacuum? Real SOUR GRAPES!!!

    From kooldaddy, on Wed 4 Jun 12:31PM
  14. Well sometimes at west ham players do play with injections (Tvez did), all clubs do that. To be sure he is still a class act when free from injury it remains to be seen how many injury free games he actually plays next season.

    From Peter, on Wed 4 Jun 11:30AM
  15. Apart from one or two good seasons, my main memory of Freddie is either sitting in the stands or modelling underpants. Hardly the army life. Salary also a bit better than the average squaddie, I'd say.

    From andy.fry@..., on Wed 4 Jun 10:36AM
  16. Great we'd like to keep him, great player when fit, emjoy watching him out there on our right wing

    From Chicken runner, on Wed 4 Jun 10:34AM
  17. sour grapes??

    From Vishesh T, on Wed 4 Jun 10:31AM
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