Ljungberg pens new Gunners contract

ARSENAL midfielder Freddie Ljungberg yesterday committed his long-term future to the club by extending his contract until 2009.

While Patrick Vieira has departed and Robert Pires remains circumspect with regards to his future, the news that Ljungberg is staying with the Gunners will be warmly received.

The Swedish international’s existing contract had been due to expire next summer, but by signing on for a further three years the 28-year-old has signalled his intention to remain at Arsenal into his thirties.

Ljungberg cost €4.3m when he arrived from Halmstad in 1998 and he has been one of Arsene Wenger’s most astute signings.

With 265 appearances and 68 goals, Ljungberg’s midfield role has been key to Arsenal’s success.

Pires will wait until January before deciding on his future after reaching a deadlock in contract talks at Highbury.

The Frenchman has been linked with moves to Juventus and Galatasaray after failing to agree fresh terms with the Gunners, but it seems likely he will begin the season an Arsenal player.

Wenger last night declared that Arsenal had been unable to make any further progress in their pursuit of Sevilla striker Julio Baptista.

Having giving himself a 50-50 chance last week of signing Baptista, Wenger admitted that remained the position.