Freddie Ljungberg
Freddie Ljungberg

Next Arsenal manager: Freddie Ljungberg has not held talks over being full-time Gunners boss


Interim manager Freddie Ljungberg says he has not held talks with Arsenal bosses about his chances of becoming the club's full-time manager.

The former Arsenal star replaced Unai Emery after he was sacked following a record run of poor results, but the 42-year-old has not yet held talks about his suitability for the full-time position.

Ljungberg oversaw Arsenal's first win since mid-October when they came from behind to beat West Ham on Monday, and he next has to take on champions Manchester City on Sunday.

Arsenal continue their search for the full-time successor to Emery with Carlo Ancelotti's name entering the fray after he was sacked by Napoli despite their Champions League qualification.

"Pepe is going to get better and better!" | Freddie Ljungberg on Arsenal's win over West Ham

Ljungberg says he has not yet held talks about whether he can put his hat into the ring to be the next full-time Arsenal manager.

"That's not a conversation I've had with the bosses," he said when quizzed on his future.

"My job is to go from day to day, game to game, to try to help this fantastic club. That's what I try to do. All of those decisions are up to the top dogs.

"I've been asked this question a lot since I took over and I just try to concentrate on my job - that is to win football games and get us to play better football.

"What the club decides to do or who they choose it is totally up to them but I stay totally out of it."

Ljungberg revealed the likes of head of football Raul Sanllehi and technical director Edu were present in the West Ham changing room as Arsenal finally ended their nine-match winless streak.

Ljungberg has injury problems to deal with - Granit Xhaka has suffered concussion and Nicolas Pepe a bruised knee, the pair both ruled out of the game against Liege on Thursday and in a race against time to be fit for the Manchester City clash on Sunday.

Dani Ceballos and Rob Holding were already absent with hamstring and knee issues, respectively, and Ljungberg admits injuries are taking their toll on the shape of his squad.

"Of course, it's not good," he said.

"We got one in the warm up at West Ham, another full-back in the game. It's one of those freak things. One is to the head, another is the shoulder in a tackle.

"We can't do much about it, obviously it puts a strain on the squad but that is how it is."

Ljungberg has taken the likes of Zech Medley, Robbie Burton, Tyreece John-Jules and James Olayinka on the trip to Belgium while leaving big names such as captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Mesut Ozil at home.

Arsenal would need to lose by a five-goal margin in Liege to stand any chance of dropping out of the Europa League at this stage but may need a victory to assure progression as Group F winners.

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