Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has warned that it will take time for Freddie Ljungberg to stamp his mark on the side after taking over the managerial reins from Unai Emery.
The Swedish coach – who played alongside Henry for eight years in north London – took over on Friday after the dismissal of Emery and took charge of his first game just 48 hours later.
Arsenal have not won a match in the Premier League since the start of October against Bournemouth and that run continued with a 2-2 draw away to Norwich on Sunday.
Henry admits the performance was virtually identical to what has been seen week in, week out under Emery and has stressed that Ljungberg needs a lot more than just one training session to implement his ideas and turn things around.
Asked how Ljungberg got on in his first match in charge, Henry said on Amazon Prime: ‘Well I think what we’ve seen so far, it’s very difficult to change anything in I think he had one session, or two maybe.
‘It’s virtually impossible to change anything. And what we saw is what I’ve seen before. [Pierre-Emerick] Aubameyang scored two goals and we escaped – when I say “we” you know why.
‘But that’s what I saw, you know, without the goals of Aubameyang I don’t know where we would have been right now.
‘So it’s interesting to see how we are going to play against Brighton, and see what Freddie is about. Because that game [against Norwich] was very difficult to see what was happening really.’
Ljungberg and assistant Per Mertesacker have had more time to work with the squad ahead of Thursday night’s clash with Brighton at the Emirates.
The Swede is believed to have clashed with predecessor Emery over Arsenal’s tactical approach prior to the Spaniard’s dismissal and appeared to be trying to get the team to play quicker, more incisive football in training footage this week.
MORE: ‘No team can defend against that’ – Freddie Ljungberg teaches new approach in Arsenal training
MORE: Arsene Wenger sends message to Freddie Ljungberg after Unai Emery’s sacking at Arsenal
