|
|
 |
| |
Ljungberg’s only gone and won the Gudbollen
He’s Sweden’s player of the year, and ready to return
ARSENAL star Freddie Ljungberg had two reasons to celebrate this week after winning Sweden’s Player of the Year award and getting the all clear in his fight for fitness.
The midfielder, 29, was handed the Gudbollen – the Golden Ball on Tuesday night after being voted best player in his home country over the last 12 months. It was the second time he had won the prize.
The award coincided with news from Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger that Ljungberg is nearly ready to return to Premiership action.
He has missed the last five weeks with a calf injury. Wenger said on Sunday: “I will have more options in midfield soon because Freddie has recovered from injury.
“He was not match-fit to play against Liverpool because he had only had two days with the team.”
Ljungberg was released to meet up with the Swedish national team who lost to Ivory Coast in Le Mans last night (Wednesday). He could be on the sub’s bench for Arsenal’s match against Newcastle on Saturday.
Wenger said: “The best way for Freddie to get his sharpness back after five weeks off is not to play a whole game but to play a big part in a game.”
Ljungberg, Sweden’s captain, picked up his Player of the Year after helping Arsenal to the Champions League Final and proving to be one of his country’s best players at the World Cup in Germany. He scored against Paraguay.
Ljungberg said: “It was an eventful year. The Champions League final left some deep marks. That felt heavy. But the World Cup was the biggest event of the year.”
Meanwhile, Wenger has refused to rule Liverpool out of the title race – despite Arsenal’s convincing 3-0 win over the Merseysiders on Sunday.
He said Liverpool had the advantage of having played away at the hardest teams in the Premiership, whereas Arsenal still must play at Anfield and face Chelsea home and away.
Wenger added: “Liverpool have 17 points now, so they are 14 points behind Manchester United. Liverpool have very good home form but they have lost games away.
“But you have to take into consideration that they have played at Manchester, Chelsea, Arsenal and Everton, who are for them the most difficult away teams.” |
 |
|
|
|
