Ljungberg: My players looked scared
FREDDIE LJUNGBERG has admitted his Arsenal players looked ‘scared’ as they slumped to defeat against Brighton. Interim manager Ljungberg’s first game in the Emirates dugout did not have the outcome he was hoping for as Adam Webster’s first-half strike and a late Neal Maupay header gave Brighton their first ever away win at one of the Premier League’s Big Six. It was a ninth game without a win for Arsenal — their worst run since 1977 — and the Swede has not been able to inspire a turnaround in the week since he replaced Unai Emery. After the loss, described by his former team-mate Lee Dixon as ‘abject’, Ljungberg said: ‘They look very short on confidence. The first half, they were a bit scared to get the ball, a bit scared to move. They were just standing still. That’s something we need to talk about but they need to have a win. ‘We need to dig out a win and get them some confidence. They can do it, they showed that at the beginning of the second half. I thought we did that really well for 20 minutes. It’s hard to say that when they lose at home but I thought they did that.’ The Emirates crowd, which was sparse in parts, turned on the home players at half-time, booing them off. Ljungberg (below), whose side are now 10 points behind the top four, suggested the response may have had an impact on his players’ performance. He said: ‘It’s obvious that the nervousness from a crowd being at home can affect football players. It doesn’t matter what quality you have, they are human beings. ‘They want to do well and they feel the pressure but that’s something we need to work on. If they dig out a win, they can get there.’ Brighton boss Graham Potter was asked whether he sympathised with Ljungberg’s position and said: ‘Well, yes. It is a great opportunity for him. He’s a fantastic football person. It’s not an ideal situation to come in at the time he has.’ On Brighton’s win, he said: ‘It’s a wonderful feeling. First half we did really well, pressed well. We had to dig in, it was nice to get the second goal and hang on. Not perfect, but you can’t be. Courage, bravery, and quality as well. Our performances mean if we carry on improving then we can pick up points in this league.’