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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
JOE KRISHNAN

Freddie Ljungberg leads Arsenal training for first time after Unai Emery sacking

Less than three hours after Unai Emery was sacked by Arsenal, interim coach Freddie Ljungberg took charge of his first training session with the first-team squad.

The Swede, who had previously coached the Under-23 side, was drafted in after Emery's departure on Friday morning following the 2-1 home defeat by Eintracht Frankfurt.

The Spaniard's position became untenable after seven games without a win - the club's worst run since 1992 - leading the Arsenal board to make the decision to axe Emery after 18 months in charge.

On a sunny day at London Colney, news of Emery's departure did not appear to have dampened the spirits of the Gunners squad, with players all smiles and joking with each other.

Ljungberg, 42, sported the club tracksuit with a gilet over the top as he prepares to take charge of the game of his senior managerial career.

Appointed: Freddie Ljungberg takes charge of his first training session Photo: Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Arsenal travel to Carrow Road on Sunday hoping to end their dismal run which has seen them fall to eighth in the Premier League - eight points adrift of the top four.

Ljungberg's reign may only prove to be a short stint in the dugout at the Emirates Stadium after the board confirmed in a statement that "the search for a new head coach is underway".

Massimiliano Allegri, Carlo Ancelotti and Mikel Arteta are among the names included as possible candidates to replace Emery.

Scroll to the top of the page to view our gallery of Arsenal's first training session under Ljungberg.

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