Arsenal interim boss Freddie Ljungberg showed “bad management” by changing his starting XI for his second match in charge, claims former Republic of Ireland star Tony Cascarino. Ljungberg is yet to win as interim manager since replacing the sacked Unai Emery last month. A 2-2 draw at Norwich was following by a dour 2-1 loss at home to Brighton.
Ljungberg sprung surprises with his team selection at Carrow Road, bringing Granit Xhaka and Shkodran Mustafi into the starting XI.
But Mustafi was one of three changes for the visit of Brighton four days later, with the German not even in the squad for the match at the Emirates.
Cascarino says it sends out the wrong message for a temporary manager like Ljungberg to make changes from his first team selection so quickly.
“They’ve given a guy the job, Freddie Ljungberg, interim manager, he makes changes in his very first game,” Cascarino said on talkSPORT.
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“You’ve got to say ‘You’re my first XI and I’m going to trust you and even if you have a bad result, you’re going into the next game’.
“I thought his selection was totally wrong against Norwich. He made changes which backfired and then he did it again against Brighton.”
Arsenal are winless in their last nine matches in all competitions ahead of Monday night’s trip to London rivals West Ham.
And Ljungberg admits changing the mood is difficult due to the lack of confidence amongst his players.
“It’s hard to say that when you lose at home, but they were very good in that little spell.”
Arsenal are without Dani Ceballos for the visit to West Ham as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury.
