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Ljungberg - Title defeat has strengthened our spirit

Freddie Ljungberg believes the disappointment of missing the
Double last season has galvanised Arsenal's team-spirit.

The Swede struck the winner at Manchester City on Sunday as
the Gunners came from behind to grab their fourth straight win -
the club's best start since the 1947/1948 season.

A few days earlier they had toughed out a 2-0 win at home to
Aston Villa. And their opening day victory against Everton
came despite playing most of the game with 10 men.

That spirit, according to Ljungberg, has developed from the
disappointment of last May.

"To be honest, we thought we had the title in the bag around
Springtime and maybe that is why we are bit more together this
season," he explained. "We thought we were going to do the
Double and it hurt us when we didn't."

Sunday's victory perfectly illustrates his point. Trailing
from the 10th minute after Lauren's own goal, the team struggled
to find their form in the first half.

A reassessment was needed in the dressing room at half time.
Manager Arsene Wenger provided the guidance, the players brought
the grit.

"We knew we did not play at our best," said Freddie. "But we
stuck together for Lauren. We did not want him to become a
scapegoat."

"The boss just told us we had not played well enough. We know
how to play football and we knew we wanted more possession and
to dominate the game. He was right to tell us.

"He was not screaming or shouting, he was still very focussed.
He was just saying do this, this and this better.

"We knew about it anyway. We needed to look at ourselves and
do better. But it is the manager's job to tell us when we are
not playing well enough."

[02 September 2003]