The acrobatic antics of a passionate Swede were on the lips of everyone at Highbury on Sun afternoon.

But for once on a surreal weekend it was not the tangled love life of England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson.

Instead they were the two goals with which Freddie Ljungberg took Arsenal back to the top of the Premiership and quite possibly set up a Double-winning denouement to an extraordinary season.

Eriksson, sitting up in the stand with assistant Tord Grip, must have wondered at the irony which saw a fellow countryman steal the headlines which he had made so glaringly along with Ulrika Jonsson in the morning's newspapers.

But Eriksson would have appreciated the quite phenomenal individual performance by Ljungberg, a man who has scored 10 goals in 21 Premiership matches and who could be a major threat when England kick off their World Cup campaign against Sweden in Saitama on June 2.

The value of Ljungberg's strikes were captured by the reaction of manager Arsene Wenger, who sank to his knees on the touchline as the first goal rippled the Ipswich net as if giving thanks for divine intervention.

In truth that was what Arsenal needed on an afternoon full of nervous tension when for large periods the Gunners seemed destined to fail in their bid to leapfrog Manchester United and Liverpool in one of the most exciting Premiership races for years.

But at the end they were a point clear of Liverpool, two in front of United and still with that precious game in hand.

Ipswich, as valiant as they were, seem on their way to the Nationwide League - five points adrift of safety with just three matches remaining, two of which are against United and Liverpool.

But oh how they nearly spoiled the Arsenal party. This wasn't so much a stroll in the sun for the nervy Gunners, as torture in the heat.

As you would expect from any team managed by George Burley, Ipswich were determined they were not returning to the Nationwide League without a fight.

And much of their work was tidy and combative, even showing at times thepassion and creativity which saw them beat Inter Milan in Europe at the beginning of this season.

Many believe such glamorous distraction has been the downfall of the 'Tractor Boys' this campaign and it will be a sad day if the allure of the San Siro costs them their Premiership place.

But it will not match the disappointment of the Gunners if they miss out on their Holy Grail.

It had been a first half of sheer frustration for Arsenal. They knew they must take the game to Ipswich and they constantly foraged deep into Ipswich territory without quite being able to conjure up the penetration which has been their hallmark this amazing season.

They crashed in 11 attempts on goal and forced 10 corners in that period and Henry and Bergkamp could easily have scored two goals each such was their domination.

But though their approach play was neat it lacked the usual thrust and invention and Ipswich should have gone in at half-time, albeit courtesy of their only strike of note.

It came when Finidi George raced down the right wing, leaving Ashley Cole in his wake, before picking out Martijn Reuser with a pinpoint cross. Reuser rose by the far post and headed the ball down firmly only to see it strike the bottom of David Seaman's right-hand post with the England goalkeeper nowhere in sight.

Arsenal, it seemed, still required their famed luck after all.

In the 47th minute Bergkamp conjured up some of his special brand of magic and it was only fortune which kept Ipswich in the game.

The Dutchman moved forward menacingly before unleashing a 20-yard angled shot which hit the inside of Marshall's far post before ricocheting across the goal-line and spinning away to safety.

Ipswich then replaced the limping Finidi George with Sixto Peralta before Stewart came close to giving Ipswich the lead. The striker raced through before going down in the penalty area in a scramble involving Seaman andKeown and for a moment the ball ran loose but Seaman was first to react.

Arsenal were indisputably playing the superior football but Ipswich were not without menace and it was no surprise when Wenger threw on Kanu for Edu in the 57th minute in a bid for more invention.

Bergkamp and Tony Adams went close, throwing themselves bravely to connect with close-range headers but the anxiety in the stands was growing by theminute as chance after chance was squandered.

It looked as if they would never score especially when Ljungberg rattled the Ipswich crossbar in the 68th minute. A minute later, however, Arsenal were in front, courtesy of the irrepressible Swede.

A Vieira cross was touched by Keown to Ljungberg who, with his back to goal, swivelled to place a right-foot shot past Marshall's dive. Superb Swedish athleticism. But more was to come.

In the 77th minute a Gilles Grimandi cross was headed goalward by Ljungberg and the ball came back off Marshall fortuitously for the Swede to bundle the ball over the line with his knee.

And the Swede was a two-time hero.

Only time will tell if the two goals were the most important of his career but tonight it looked that way as Arsenal moved a giant stride nearer their Double.

England and Eriksson should also be warned.

Teams

Arsenal Seaman, Lauren, Keown, Adams, Cole, Ljungberg, Parlour, Vieira, Edu (Kanu 56), Henry, Bergkamp (Grimandi 76).

Subs Not Used: Dixon, Jeffers, Wright.

Booked: Lauren.

Goals: Ljungberg 68, 78.

Ipswich Marshall, Bramble, McGreal, Hreidarsson, Clapham, George (Peralta 50), Holland, Tommy Miller, Reuser (Ambrose 85), Stewart, Marcus Bent (Armstrong 85).

Subs Not Used: Wilnis, Salmon.

Att: 38,058

Ref: A Wiley (Burntwood).