Freddie Ljungberg was completely taken aback by the support he received from Arsenal fans back when he first signed for the club.
The Swede arrived on a £3m transfer and ended up being a key part of the Invicible squad.
“On the Monday I was due to meet with Arsenal. On Tuesday, the Italian champions. On Wednesday, the Spanish champions. I had to decide what was right,” Freddie explained in a feature for an issue of Arsenal’s matchday programme in 2017.
“So I met Arsenal and had a personal meeting with Arsène Wenger. We talked football, not money. I don’t even remember my salary, if I’m honest. It was just about the football – it made the decision for me.”
He was named as one of the substitutes in the 3-0 win over Manchester United within a week of him signing for the Gunners. Ljungberg came on to score in the 20 minutes he got to score.
“I’m a pretty laid back guy but I have to be honest, that week I was so nervous. I was literally shaking. After about 20 minutes the fans started singing my name and I thought ‘Oh God, please no’ because I was so nervous.”
Ljungberg could not believe his eyes by the support he received on his way to the 2002 FA Cup final in Cardiff. He continued, “I fell asleep on the coach and I remember some of the guys waking me up as we arrived near the Millennium Stadium. ‘Freddie, look at this’, one of them said, tapping on the window. It was incredible. Arsenal fans, young and old, all had red hair – just like me. I remember that moment vividly. That is a memory, a moment that I had never experienced before and never experienced since.”
“I even remember at the parade in Islington after the game when a police officer took his helmet off and had a red mohawk! What can I say? It’s an honour.”
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