Larsson settles straight away

05 August 2011 12:12
IF supporters expect foreign players to take time to settle in, it is safe to assume Seb Larsson has not needed as much time as most. The Swedish international has been in the North-East for two months, but he has been in England for much longer.[LNB] Larsson has been a member of a Premier League club since moving over to join Arsenal's Academy, which is reputable for the number of overseas teenagers it has produced, when he was just 16.[LNB] It was his displays for hometown team IFK Eskilstuna that alerted Arsene Wenger's scouting network and three years later he was making his debut for the Gunners in a Carling Cup tie with Manchester City as a leftback.[LNB] After that midweek fixture, however, Larsson quickly established himself as a promising winger, particularly with Birmingham after accepting he was not going to force his way in to Arsenal's first team plans in 2006.[LNB] It was Steve Bruce that signed him first time around at St Andrew's and, when he became a free agent on July 1, it was the Sunderland manager that signed him for a second time. Larsson needed little time to adjust at Birmingham, so there is no reason for him to take his time to settle into life at the Stadium of Light.[LNB] He (Bruce) told me all about what he wanted for the club and what the club is all about, said Larsson. He is one of those managers who pushed it the hardest to try and get me that helps when you are a player. He took me from Arsenal in the first place and that was an important factor this time.[LNB] Knowing him from our time at Birmingham, we worked well. To know what you are going to get from a manager is good and also when he spoke of his vision for this club, it matched my ambitions. He is a very good manager, a great manager to have leading you.[LNB] Throughout the summer there was significant interest in him from Aston Villa, particularly after Alex McLeish took over, Bolton and Everton. There was also constant suggestions Arsenal were interested in taking him back.[LNB] With Champions League football on offer in north London, it would have seemed strange to learn that a Scandinavian footballer would have chosen Sunderland over Arsenal.[LNB] And, while the prospect of playing for Bruce was clearly a deciding factor, Larsson admits reported interest from Arsenal never really got beyond first base.[LNB] Of course, it is always tempting to (re-sign for Arsenal) ... but it never really got that far, said Larsson. There was an interest and then I decided to sign for Sunderland so that was the end of it.[LNB] The gaffer showed an interest in me quite early, a lot of interest, which is obviously nice and I have worked with him before.[LNB] Also Sunderland are a big club, a massive club. I wanted to take the next step and I really feel I have done that by coming here.[LNB] It has a huge fanbase, great stadium and facilities and that is what you want when you play football. The club are trying to push forward. There have been quite a few new signings which hopefully will make the squad better. That is what I was told before I signed that they were really going to try and have a go. How far that goes, we will have to wait and see.[LNB] Larsson was one of Bruce's first summer signings and Sunderland have acquired nine new faces in total, and there are hopes to bring in a couple more in the shape of a left-winger and a striker.[LNB] But the 26-year-old, who has 31 caps for Sweden, is satisfied with the moves Bruce has made and is keen to avoid any small threat of a relegation fight after failing to keep Birmingham in the Premier League last season.[LNB] I'm pleased to put that chapter behind me, said Larsson. Obviously breaking into the top six or seven will be very difficult when you look at the Premier League these days. I suppose the aim has to be to improve on what we did last year (tenth). You have to realise it is difficult.[LNB] Everything is there to push this club forward and hopefully that is what we will do.[LNB] Larsson's arrival as a set piece specialist has already been witnessed during preseason when a couple of his corners have led to goals.[LNB] It is always something I have enjoyed. I was not one who would go for one on ones and stuff, I wanted to hit long balls and shoot and stuff like that, he said.[LNB] I have always enjoyed free-kicks, corners, and try to work on it as best I can. It is still a big part of my game. I work on it quite a lot and try to be effective when I can.[LNB] Such a desire to keep improving will be music to the ears of Sunderland's fans.[LNB]

Source: Northern_Echo