15th July 2003
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Arsenal favourite Freddie Ljungberg has admitted
he struggled to come to terms with English football
when Arsene Wenger signed him in 1998.

The popular Swede is very much a vital part of the
Gunners squad these days, but he admitted it took
him a while to bed in when he first arrived from
hometown club Halmstads.

"At the beginning, when you are a foreigner, it
is often hard to cope with the English game,"
admitted Ljungberg. "You find yourself saying:
'What the hell is this? It is not like football.'

"You need to get used to the mentality.

"In Sweden, when I had the ball and someone started
to kick the back of my legs, you ask: 'What are you
doing?' but over here I just accept it now.

"That is how football is in England, but a lot of
foreign guys find it hard at first."

Ljungberg has since settled well in the Premier League,
proving to be just as much of an individual on the
pitch as he is off it.

"I had a coach when I was younger who encouraged me
to be myself, that is where I was lucky,'' said Ljungberg.
"I liked to dribble with the ball and some of the other
players were complaining that I did not pass enough.

"But he told me just to be myself. I did and I ended
up with the most goals. He never stopped me doing what
I wanted to do and that helped me to be myself.

"The problem in Sweden is that, when the players are
younger, they are not allowed to develop their own
style and skills. I was encouraged to do that."

Ljungberg's Highbury stock rose when he was sent off
three seasons ago against Tottenham. He was accused
of head-butting a Spurs player, but was later cleared
by video evidence.

He cannot, however, plead his innocence to making a
V-sign as he left the White Hart Lane pitch or opening
the dressing room door without the aid of a key.

To Arsenal fans, the red card was like a red badge of
courage awarded during the heat of battle with the old
enemy,but for Ljungberg it was all part of the learning
curve.

"I learned from that incident," he said. "I learned
never to react. If there had been no reaction, I would
not have been in trouble.

"But I must say I like the relationship I have with the
fans. I think they like the way I play, the way I give
everything when I am out there. I am proud of the way
they like me."