Arsenal Football Club News

• Nickname:Gunners
• Founded:1886
• Manager:Arsene Wenger

• Ground:Emirates
• Capacity:60,432

Ljungberg exit ruled out

13 Jan 2007 - 10:43:24

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Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has dismissed rumours that midfielder Freddie Ljungberg is set to leave the club in the January transfer window.

The 29-year-old Sweden international is no longer a regular starter for the Gunners, but Wenger still sees Ljungberg as a valuable member of his squad.

He told reporters: "Freddie will stay. He is part of our of our squad and will be. He knows that.

"I have clarified it with him and said 'listen, you stay and that is it'. I have spoken to him personally.

"He was a bit uncertain about his future, of course, because there is now a big competition here for every position.

"I needed to have a clear chat with him, to see how he feels, does he accept competition for places? He is ready for that.

"He has been frustrated through injuries, but he has a part to play in the future of Arsenal.

"He is a big-game player and if he is fit he is a winner. Freddie gives you something different, he makes runs from midfield behind the defenders."

Ljungberg joined Arsenal in the summer of 1998 from Halmstads and has scored 71 goals in 316 appearances for the north London club.