This article is part of Football FanCast's Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers...

Speaking in his post-match press conference, Freddie Ljungberg admitted his Arsenal players were "scared" in their clash against Brighton on Thursday night.

What did he say?

In the Swede's second game in charge as the club's interim head coach following the sacking of Unai Emery, the Gunners fell to a disappointing 2-1 defeat at the Emirates.

The result extends their win-less streak to nine games across all competitions - their worst run since March 1977. It also leaves them a mammoth ten points behind fourth-placed Chelsea.

And speaking after the game, Ljungberg revealed his players look completely shot of any confidence, and that they found it difficult to even want the ball against the Seagulls.

He said (as quoted by The Daily Mirror): "It was tough. We didn't show up in the first half, didn't work hard and want to play. The tough part is they looked very short of confidence. They were very scared to get the ball, very scared to move and they were just standing still.

"Second half we were better but we are suspect on the counter and we have no confidence. It's a concern for any coach, a lack of confidence. It’s obvious that nervousness from the home crowd can affect players no matter what quality they have. They’re human beings like everyone. They want to do well, and they feel the pressure. We need to just dig out a win to get some confidence."

Tough job ahead

If there was any hope that Ljungberg's appointment as interim head coach would bring some welcome respite and the so-called 'new manager bounce', then Arsenal have been left sadly mistaken. The Swede's first two games in charge against both Norwich and Brighton have simply shown that there is no temporary fix to the mess the Gunners now currently find themselves in.

As well as being defensively shoddy - they have already conceded 23 goals in just 15 top-flight games this season - they look disjointed and toothless in attack too. Against Brighton, they could muster up just five shots on target, that despite them having the likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette, Mesut Ozil and Nicolas Pepe on the pitch. The north London side are in desperate need of a new permanent manager.

Meanwhile, Arsenal fans have hammered this ace after his disastrous performance against Brighton.