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 to Sky Sports, Arsenal's former academy manager, Andries Jonker, has urged the club to show some "guts" by appointing Freddie Ljungberg on a permanent basis.

What did he say?

The Gunners are on the search for a long-term successor to Unai Emery, after the Spaniard was sacked by the club following a dismal run of results that had seen them not pick up a win in their previous seven games.

Now, Jonker - who knows Ljungberg from the time the pair worked in Arsenal's academy and at VfL Wolfsburg - has suggested it would be a real statement of intent from the Gunners to appoint whom he describes as a "very talented coach".

He said: "I would prefer for them to give the chance to someone who knows Arsenal, knows the academy, knows all those talented players. He also knows the laws of total football. Give him time, give him confidence, help him and support him. He is one of Arsenal. I would appreciate the guts of the Arsenal bosses if they hired Ljungberg.

"He became assistant coach of the U16s for half a year and after when he felt comfortable he asked me 'can you give me a team? I would like to be a professional coach, the head coach of the youth team for myself'. He said 'I want to invest in my career, so far I enjoy it very much and I want to improve myself'. He's proven to be a very talented coach.

"Freddie is a lover of really good football, the way Arsenal want to play normally fits him. He wants his teams to try to play offensive football and be exciting - winning with that. This is the style he likes."

Arsenal's own Frank Lampard

Having seen the incredible early success Frank Lampard has enjoyed at London rivals Chelsea - the Blues are in the top four and are close to qualifying for the knockout stages of the Champions League - the Gunners may well be tempted to appoint one of their own former heroes to steer the ship.

Lampard's year in senior management at Derby gave him some vital experience, something Ljungberg currently lacks, having only been a coach. But if the Swede can show some of the dedication to the craft and style of play that Jonker believes he possesses over the next few weeks, then he will certainly have had made a very strong case for himself.

Meanwhile, Arsenal should benefit massively from Freddie Ljungberg looking to reconnect with this key Gunners figure.