Arsenal: 30 Greatest Players Of All Time

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28. Freddie Ljungberg

Playing in the greatest Arsenal side in history, Freddie Ljungberg was a small, slight winger. And yet, his electrifying pace, quickness in body and mind, and pure quality overcame such issues. The Swedish winger formed an explosive partnership with Robert Pires on the opposite wing and went on to produce goals, assists and consistent performances for years.

Signed in 1998, Ljungberg sat on the bench for the majority of his first couple of years in London, as Marc Overmars and Emmanuel Petit started ahead of him. However, with the departure of the two Arsenal stars, Freddie was given an opportunity to stake a claim to a starting role, and in the early 2000s, his quality shone through.

Playing in a midfield alongside Patrick Viera and Robert Pires, Ljungberg’s best form came in the second half of the 01/02 double winning season. With Pires going down injured, many doubted the title credentials of Wenger’s men. However, Ljungberg, who was often compared pejoratively to the wonderful Frenchman, stepped up in his absence, scoring six goals in five games in the crucial month of April. Throughout the year, Ljungberg scored 12 Premier League goals in 25 games, an outrageous record for a wide midfielder.

Ljungberg’s success in 2002 was recognized with him winning the Barclaycard Player of the Year. His form continued over the next few years, playing an integral part of Arsenal’s 49-game unbeaten run. Although injuries curtailed his success later in his Arsenal career, he is still thought of as one of the great Arsenal players.

Next: 27. Frank McLintock