Freddie Ljungberg took charge of Arsenal’s first team training session for the first time since replacing Unai Emery on a interim basis.
The club legend, who was promoted to the Spaniard’s backroom team during the summer, was given his marching orders less than 24 hours after a miserable home defeat against Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League.
Emery arrived for training at London Colney as usual but was informed of the club’s decision by head of football Raul Sanllehi and technical director Edu, who earlier this month handed the former PSG and Sevilla coach a vote of confidence.
Arsenal travel to Norwich on Sunday looking to revive their flagging Premie League form which sees them already eight points adrift of the top four having won just four of their opening 13 fixtures.
Ljungberg enjoyed success with the club’s increasingly successful Under-23 side and has been credited with playing a key role in the development of emerging youngsters Joe Willock, Reiss Nelson and Bukayo Saka, all of whom have made an impact at first team level this season.
The Swede is also said to be a big admirer of teenage striker Tyreece John-Jules who trained with the senior squad for the first time this season on Friday morning.
John-Jules had been prolific for the Under-23 team this season before undergoing a hamstring injury which ruled him out for several weeks.
Ljungberg is understood to have spoken to the players following Emery’s dismissal and reinforced a message of unity and later took to Twitter, insisting he would do everything within his powers to put smiles back on the faces of supporters.
He said: ‘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!’
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