Gunners can secure Champions League spot, says Ljungberg

Aston Villa 0 Arsenal 0

The Sweden international was critical of Arsene Wenger’s side after the recent defeat at Bolton when they were outfought and out-muscled throughout the 90 minutes.

Ljungberg concedes former captain Patrick Vieira was ideal in combating the physical approach of teams like Bolton and Saturday’s opponents Aston Villa, who deserved their goalless draw.

But the 28-year-old Ljungberg feels that slowly but surely a revamped Gunners are getting to grips with what is required and he is confident Champions League football will be secured.

Ljungberg said: “Normally when you go to Villa it’s a battle and it’s known around the country at the moment that if you try and battle with Arsenal, then you might have a chance of doing something so we prepared for it.

“There are a lot of new players this season, a lot of young players, and everyone has to get used to how it is to play in the Premiership.

“I’ve been here a while and I know the physical side is a big part of it. When we played in the past, people always tried to be physical against us. It is just the way it is. You have to stand up and be counted.

“You need to be able to play both games. Even if you are a technical player or part of a technical side, you need to be able to stand up and be counted. Of course Patrick Vieira was a great player, was very physical and, of course, it helped us in the middle of the park when you face teams playing like Villa.

“But at the same time we have filled in with young players and they are doing well. Everyone needs time to learn and know how it is. It is a physical game.”

Ljungberg added: “At Bolton I said what I thought was wrong, that we had no commitment, that we had nothing, and in the last couple of games things have got better.

“Even when we haven’t got fully the results we wanted, like at Newcastle and against Chelsea at home, we have showed commitment and we wanted to fight and people haven’t hid from the ball.”

Ljungberg knows the Gunners have to be more consistent and a return of seven points from three games over Christmas is a sign they are heading in the right direction ahead of Tuesday’s meeting with Manchester United.

He said: “I look at the table but we know we have the quality in the team. The thing we need to do is always be consistent and always on top form with no dips and that’s what we are working for.

“There is nothing in my mind thinking we won’t go into the top four but it is very early to talk about it. I’ve been here seven years and we’ve always been in the Champions League so it is not really in my mind not to be there.”

Wenger added: “Our immediate objective is to chase the pack in front of us but there are 19 games to go for us and in the last three games we have taken seven points.

“We have to keep going like that. Being in the Champions League will be important for us. If it is to be via fourth spot, so be it. But it may be higher. It is down to us.”

Opta Fact: Villa have won just two of their last 13 home games against Arsenal in the Premiership.

Opta Fact: Thierry Henry has scored just three goals away from home in the Premiership in 2005.