Arsenal lose Ljungberg to West Ham - TalkSoccer

**Dellas** · 23-07-2007, 12:51 PM

Quote:

West Ham have completed the signing of Arsenal midfielder Freddie Ljungberg, BBC Sport understands.
The Hammers will unveil the 30-year-old Sweden international at a press conference at 1400 BST.
Ljungberg, who was also a target for Fiorentina, joined the Gunners in a £3m deal from Halmstads in 1998 and scored 72 goals in 325 games for the club.
He had two years left on his contract at the Emirates Stadium but Gunners boss Arsene Wenger decided to sell him.

Ljungberg, who was Arsenal's longest serving player, struggled with injury last season and played just 26 games.

source: BBC SPORT | Football | My Club | West Ham Utd | West Ham swoop to sign Ljungberg

well this is strange. I thought that after the loss of Henry, Wenger and Arsenal would try to keep all their stars. Even tho he didn't have a great last season, I was sure he would stay. What is also confusing is Arsenal are selling but they haven't bought anyone who can replace the players that they have lost. Obviously no one can replace Henry but I thought they would at least put the cash to gd use and try and buy some class player. they bought silva but they just haven't been very active.

**Mighty T.A.L.** · 23-07-2007, 12:53 PM

Shocking transfer!

Ljungberg have claimed he wouldn't leave Arsenal for a team in Premiership.Now he went against his words.Never liked him as a person.

**Sven** · 23-07-2007, 01:45 PM

A lot of Arsenal players say that, it's a sinking ship, Sol Campbell said the same thing and went to Portsmouth.

Great buy from West Ham I still can't beleive they let Pires go, what a stupid move on free transfer all because they would only give him 1 year deal.

**Dellas** · 23-07-2007, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sven

A lot of Arsenal players say that, it's a sinking ship, Sol Campbell said the same thing and went to Portsmouth.

now that I think about it that seems right, because they keep buying young players and they don't seem to win anything, their talents (GAllas and others) are complaining. I can only see Arsenal going downhill tbh.

barracuda · 23-07-2007, 01:57 PM

West Ham seems ambitious enough this summer Ljungberg, Bellamy etc

**Dellas** · 23-07-2007, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by barracuda

West Ham seems ambitious enough this summer Ljungberg, Bellamy etc

don't forget Parker as well. They have lost a few gd players, mascherano and recoker, and tevez is bound to leave as soon as he can. Westham have done very well for themselves, I wouldn't be surprised if they were in the top 7 next season.

Also I fear that Arsenal will get weaker and will drop from fourth, not just because they lost ljunberg but for other reasons as well.

MUFC · 23-07-2007, 02:09 PM

I dont blame wenger selling him Ljungberg hasnt turned up for last 2 or 3 years, he has been totally over rated. He had a great start to his career but the last few years he has been in decline. Arsenal have better players in those position so its not a bad replacement.

Also agree with Sven the poorer move was the summer before not keeping Pires, he is a brilliant player for way arsenal play.

**Arsenal007** · 23-07-2007, 04:26 PM

Ok I saw there first two preseason matches live, and to be honest Freddie did nothing, it was almost like Wenger knew. Every one believes that Arsenal is a sinking ship... Why, because we lost Henry and Freddie. Look who we have Fab,RVP,Rosicky,Toure,Eboue,Gilberto,Ade, all whom start for there respective countries in the WC. Then they are new faces who have the potential to be the next Player of the Year. I believe every one just wants Arsenal to eat shit, but in fact what is happening is that Arsenal is cutting out the people they dont need and are replacing them with fresh faces who have the skill and potential to last 4 years and be great. Wenger knows what he is doing and has proven it for years. My prediction is that they may not win the league but like Sir Alex said it will be a battle With the top 4 clubs which includes Arsenal.

**Sven** · 23-07-2007, 04:31 PM

Oh I still think your a top 4 team, no question, you better then Spurs, but your moving away from the Arsenal team the EPL feared.

**Arsenal007** · 23-07-2007, 04:34 PM

Maybe thats good, because now you just dont know what to expect and it puts a little less pressure on us.

MUFC · 23-07-2007, 04:50 PM

We were in same position as you guys last year when we got rid of ruud. You will have less pressure this year thats for sure but if your in 5th place with 10 games to go, there will be a lot of added pressure.

**Arsenal007** · 23-07-2007, 05:01 PM

The other thing is that we won without Henry and Freddie, also look how well we played in the Carling Cup vs a very tough Chelsea side. I think MUFC is right and I think we will be ok!

**Vargas_4** · 24-07-2007, 04:25 AM

Don't sweat it Gunners

Arsenal is not sinking. The way i see it, it was good that you sold Henry. He's a class player, yes. But he burned out the best of him in his Arsenal years. Got a good deal too. For a 30 year old player. Same thing goes for Freddie. He gave his best during his peak form but now you guys need fresh, young, promesing players.

Sure the other 3 clubs (Man Utd, Chelsea, Liver) are reinforcing their lines very well, but i'm sure you can come up with a squad that'll give them a headache.

Another thing. Agree about Pires. You shouldn't have let him go. But, oh well.

**Mighty T.A.L.** · 24-07-2007, 09:59 AM

He said he joined West Ham after seeing promises of big signings at Arsenal fall through but West Ham will never be a better team than Arsenal.No way!

**Dellas** · 24-07-2007, 04:44 PM

Quote:

West Ham have completed the signing of Arsenal midfielder Freddie Ljungberg for a fee that could rise to £3m.

The Sweden international joined the Gunners in a £3m deal from Halmstads in 1998 and scored 72 goals in 325 games.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger wanted Ljungberg to stay but the 30-year-old said: "It was the right time to go.
"It was a difficult decision but when Thierry Henry left it felt like the end. I am coming here to build a great team and I am looking forward to it."

Ljungberg, who was Arsenal's longest serving player, struggled with injury last season and played just 26 games.

His former team-mate Henry left to join Barcelona in June and Ljungberg revealed his growing frustration at the Emirates Stadium.

"Two years ago when I signed my last contract we talked a lot about the future and about bringing great players to the club," Ljungberg explained.

"Despite building the new stadium we wanted to stay top in England and do well in Europe. For me that didn't really happen."

And the Sweden captain says he is relishing beginning the new season at Upton Park.

"When I spoke to Arsene Wenger, he wanted me to stay," Ljungberg added.

"But, at the same time, I feel it had to be something very, very special for me to leave.

"For me it is about why I wanted to join West Ham, not why I wanted to leave Arsenal.

"The reason I wanted to join is because of West Ham chairman Eggert Magnusson.

"He wants to take West Ham to the top of the country. He is willing to go on the market and buy great players and mix them with youth players from the academy.

Freddie brings Champions League experience, being captain of Sweden and that he is versatile but the biggest thing is that there is a hunger there

Alan Curbishley

"I am really happy to be here and he wants me to help take this club forward. It feels like a big challenge and I am really happy with it."

West Ham manager Alan Curbishley feels he was able to sign Ljungberg because of the other players who have arrived at the club this summer.

He follows Julien Faubert, Scott Parker, Craig Bellamy and Richard Wright into Upton Park.

"We spoke to Freddie over the last week and we tried to sell him the club and what we are about," Curbishley said.

"He has seen other players come in and push us forward."

"Freddie brings Champions League experience, being captain of Sweden and that he is versatile but the biggest thing is that there is a hunger there."

source: BBC SPORT | Football | My Club | West Ham Utd | West Ham swoop to sign Ljungberg

I read in the paper that Ljunberg also wanted to leave due to the fact that Henry left, and that Wenger kept on buying young talents instead of big name signings (like Mighty Tal said). tbh I agree with him, in that Arsenal haven't bought enough class players, they only seem to focus on the future instead of the present.

Also West ham will never be as gd as Arsenal, it just seems that they are slipping away from the team that they used to be.