Caretaker Ljungberg vows to put smiles back on Arsenal faces

Freddie Ljungberg has vowed to put smiles back on Arsenal faces after being appointed as the club’s new manager on a caretaker basis.

The former Arsenal midfielder will step up from his role with the club’s development side to oversee proceedings following Unai Emery’s sacking, with the Swede taking over the role as head coach on an interim basis while the club’s hierarchy begin their recruitment process.

Emery was dismissed from his position on Friday morning following a disappointing start to the season, with Arsenal currently on a run of seven games without a win in all competitions following their home defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League last night.

The club’s poor form has seen them slip to eighth in the Premier League, whilst they are currently eight points adrift of the top four and face the prospect of missing out on Champions League football for a fourth consecutive season.

However long I oversee @Arsenal for I will give everything I have to put smiles on faces again. We have a busy few weeks ahead and the team needs your support. Let’s get to work! pic.twitter.com/WdekcA4h5G

— Freddie Ljungberg (@freddie) November 29, 2019

A toxic atmosphere has surrounded the club in recent weeks and the growing unrest culminated in a record-low attendance for the clash with Frankfurt. The Arsenal board subsequently lost patience and opted to part with Emery and his coaching staff after 18 months at the Emirates.

Ljungberg, who will stand in as caretaker manager for the first time ahead of this weekend’s trip to Norwich City, said in a social media post that he promises to lift the mood at the club as he bids to turn their fortunes around.

“However long I oversee Arsenal for I will give everything I have to put smiles on faces again,” the former Swedish international tweeted on Friday afternoon.

“We have a busy few weeks ahead and the team needs your support. Let’s get to work!”

Read: Where it went wrong for Emery at Arsenal