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WE may love Freddie because he's got red hair, but it has also got something to do with the fact he has never played so well, worked so hard and that he has scored five goals in the last four games.
Freddie Ljungberg has looked almost like a striker the way he has attacked the goal in recent weeks, but he insists he would not be very good if he was asked to take on Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp's responsibilities.
"My form feels okay and I have been lucky to score some goals recently," said the modest Swede. "I never really wanted to be a striker as I preferred to play behind the front two.
"I do not like playing with my back to goal as much as I do making runs from midfield towards the goal. I am pretty small and a big centre back might find it too easy to move me out of the way because I have my back to him."
Arsene Wenger has, of course, converted Ljungberg into a wide player with the ability to cut inside with devastating results. The transformation since his move from Halmstads almost four years ago is remarkable.
Ljungberg added: "I have been here three and a half years and I hope I have improved. I have trained with world class players in that time and there would be something wrong with me if I had not improved at Arsenal.
"As well as being with great players I have a brilliant coach who talks to the players and explains things so well.
"At first I was very surprised when he put me in a wide position and I felt I couldn't do myself justice. When you go to a new club you want to show the other players and the fans that you can play football and I thought it might be difficult for me in a different position than what I was use to.
"But I made a decision to do my best and try to develop. I thought 'maybe that is where the manager wants to play me for the best, so that is what I will try to do.'"
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