Freddie Ljungberg

[haven]

Although I support Man Utd, I've mostly admired the football that Arsenal have played under Wenger. Under his guidance, Arsenal have thrived and overachieved versus their spending/youth-academy-luck for years.

I think Henry is magnificent. Sol Campbell was the most complete centerback in England. Vieira was a colossus. Pires was fabulous. Bergkamp was a creative genius.

I'm obviously leaving out Freddie Llungberg. I don't get the admiration for him, personally. Never have. When he was player of the year, I was perplexed. When some Arsenal fans reckoned him the best player on the team, I was flabbergasted. To me, he seems like a fairly pacey player with above average technique and a good football IQ (for a winger). He isn't incredibly skillful for an attacking player, he isn't a clinical finisher, and he isn't particularly inspirational.

Now that relations between our sides have cooled down a bit (yeah, they probably hate each other still...but rabidly fighting for 2nd is a bit pathetic), I figured I might try to solicit some input over here about this guy.

Why the fuss? I know he's a good player - but why do so many consider him a great player? To me, he's always looked like an above-average player on a great team...who perhaps accomplishes more than he otherwise would, because other teams guard more vigilantly against more potent threats.

[impalemeplz]

he is more of a dynamo then a winger or playmaker/creater.

a "runner" if you will very much in the mold of the ex-psv player you guys got.

OR scholes without the venomous shot altho ljungberg scores more then his fair share(not this season).

as for that magical run of form late in our double season in 01-02. ljungberg and bergkamp stepped it up. ljungberg scored a hatful thanks to bergkamp's assists and nearly made us forget pires that season.

[mobjack]

He's been my favorite player for years and here's why. It's that lack of being known for mind-blowing skills that works to his advantage. So thank you for questioning his abilities, that underestimation allows him to slip past many defenses. I think lots of teams write him off and he pulls of some clutch plays in big games (away @ Ajax in the CL) because of that. He plays great defense and can lead the team to scoring when the superstars are not on the pitch. He brings a certain toughness more than anything, he slide tackles, he hustles, he's definitely not a finesse player like say, Superbob. He's fast, a decent ball-handler and sure, he's not a spectacular finisher like Henry or DB10, but he's a worldclass offensive weapon. Check out when he plays for the Sweden National Team, he's a great scorer for that side.

[phishy]

intelligent footballer who passes well, tracks back to defend, and scores good goals. his best attribute, imo, is making very intelligent runs behind the last line of defence.

actually, your description haven is somewhat flattering.

"To me, he seems like a fairly pacey player with above average technique and a good football IQ (for a winger)."

[Fun with Acid]

He gets my wife hot.

[CRASH 4 ARSENAL]

Although I support Man Utd, I've mostly admired the football that Arsenal have played under Wenger. Under his guidance, Arsenal have thrived and overachieved versus their spending/youth-academy-luck for years.

I think Henry is magnificent. Sol Campbell was the most complete centerback in England. Vieira was a colossus. Pires was fabulous. Bergkamp was a creative genius.

I'm obviously leaving out Freddie Llungberg. I don't get the admiration for him, personally. Never have. When he was player of the year, I was perplexed. When some Arsenal fans reckoned him the best player on the team, I was flabbergasted. To me, he seems like a fairly pacey player with above average technique and a good football IQ (for a winger). He isn't incredibly skillful for an attacking player, he isn't a clinical finisher, and he isn't particularly inspirational.

Now that relations between our sides have cooled down a bit (yeah, they probably hate each other still...but rabidly fighting for 2nd is a bit pathetic), I figured I might try to solicit some input over here about this guy.

Why the fuss? I know he's a good player - but why do so many consider him a great player? To me, he's always looked like an above-average player on a great team...who perhaps accomplishes more than he otherwise would, because other teams guard more vigilantly against more potent threats.

Thanks for the kind words. There was a time when I would have agreed with you about Freddie. I do think Arsenal has overrated him in the past. He is a player who does miss time with injuries and can suffer from spells of inconsistency. But when he plays his best, he can really become the motor of our side. Lately he has been healthy and has been putting in some good performances. He had a great tie with Madrid and could have had a hat trick against Fulham. And Arsenal has played better in that same period, I don't think it is a coincidence. Freddie is also a committed defensive player when he needs to be. He will run all day and give it your all. You said he is not an inspirational player, but I think that his exactly his strength.

Now, let me ask you something...what is so great about Paul Scholes?

[haven]

Now, let me ask you something...what is so great about Paul Scholes?

Scholes* is a genius in terms of intelligent, skillful passing. When healthy, right now, I still think he's probably the best pure passer in the EPL. He also has some of the best off-the-ball movement in the EPL. And he's got an accurate, hard-shot (though never did learn to curve it).

My description makes Scholes sound like one of the 5 best central midfielders in the world. He's not, though I would say he was one of the top 5 attacking CMs in the world until recently. Scholes is a luxury - albeit the type of luxury that any good side can afford (and actually needs).

When you're playing a 4-4-2, and one of the two players (while willing to track back) is just about worthless at it, you're going to have problems unless your other MC is absolutely stellar. So when you've got a Roy Keane, you've got no problem. When you've got a destroyer, a la Gatuso - no problem. Anything less, and you either force Scholes to sacrifice his greatest assets for...ermm...mediocre defense...or expose your back 4.

Still, I think Scholes is the best of the famed academy bunch at Man Utd. Beckham could be isolated on the wing too easily, Giggs went through long ineffective periods, and Neville has never had the pace you want in an ideal fullback. OTOH, Scholes is a genius in a very limited position.

*note: scholes is my favorite player ever

[gunner0007]

Well ill tell u now, if he hasnt yet Fab will be able to beat him on the passing perspective.


Scholes* is a genius in terms of intelligent, skillful passing. When healthy, right now, I still think he's probably the best pure passer in the EPL. He also has some of the best off-the-ball movement in the EPL. And he's got an accurate, hard-shot (though never did learn to curve it).

My description makes Scholes sound like one of the 5 best central midfielders in the world. He's not, though I would say he was one of the top 5 attacking CMs in the world until recently. Scholes is a luxury - albeit the type of luxury that any good side can afford (and actually needs).

When you're playing a 4-4-2, and one of the two players (while willing to track back) is just about worthless at it, you're going to have problems unless your other MC is absolutely stellar. So when you've got a Roy Keane, you've got no problem. When you've got a destroyer, a la Gatuso - no problem. Anything less, and you either force Scholes to sacrifice his greatest assets for...ermm...mediocre defense...or expose your back 4.

Still, I think Scholes is the best of the famed academy bunch at Man Utd. Beckham could be isolated on the wing too easily, Giggs went through long ineffective periods, and Neville has never had the pace you want in an ideal fullback. OTOH, Scholes is a genius in a very limited position.

*note: scholes is my favorite player ever

[Skizz]

Freddie, freddie, freddie...

bigg

[arsenalgirl30016]

We love you Freddie because you've got red hair
We love you Freddie because you're everywhere

Enough said, well that and he is hot! :D

[Detlef]

He gets my wife hot. Mine too. Especially when he wears those tight, hip-hugging Palatine High School P.E. uniforms, circa 1985 :eek:

[CRASH 4 ARSENAL]

I was just watching my club history DVD last night and saw his first goal for the club. vs. ManU. What a way to open an account that was.

[Damon]

intelligent footballer who passes well, tracks back to defend, and scores good goals. his best attribute, imo, is making very intelligent runs behind the last line of defence.

actually, your description haven is somewhat flattering.

"To me, he seems like a fairly pacey player with above average technique and a good football IQ (for a winger)."

"tracks back to defend" being what I LOVE about Freddie. He works his arse off every game. Quite uncommon for most, if not all, footballer/underwear models.

[fox point fury]

We love you Freddie because you've got red hair
We love you Freddie because you're everywhere!

http://www.icons.com/images/teams/ARSENAL/ljungberg.jpg

I really, really miss the fire-engine red fauxhawk.

[impalemeplz]

I was just watching my club history DVD last night and saw his first goal for the club. vs. ManU. What a way to open an account that was.
yea he loved united during that period. always was good for a goal against them. his goal in our double year against manU was typical freddy.

[jegerpenge]

http://www.icons.com/images/teams/ARSENAL/ljungberg.jpg

I really, really miss the fire-engine red fauxhawk.

I can see the fire-engine red fauxhawk every time I open my passport :D

[smilyfs]

pretty obvious everyone adores Freddie cos of his relentless efforts to drive the team. Hes all over the field - one moment hes patching up those holes in defence the next hes screaming down the right flank whipping in a cross.
He may not be the most accurate, fancy or skillful player on the pitch but as the others have mentioned thats an advantage cos opponents always underestimate him.
Plus ive got the same first name as him although its spelt abit differently. :)