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As quoted by Sky Sports, Joe Willock has hailed Freddie Ljungberg's immediate impact on Arsenal after the Swede took over as interim head coach.

What did he say?

The Gunners have endured a rocky start to the season, already suffering four defeats in the Premier League and finding themselves ninth in the table. Their poor opening cost Unai Emery his job, with Ljungberg being named in charge for the time being.

And after seeing the Gunners get their first win under the Invincibles hero on Monday night with a win over West Ham, Willock was quick to hail the former midfielder's influence on the side.

He said: "I worked with Freddie last year and he taught me a lot on and off the pitch, like a mentor. I'm delighted that he's in the job now. It's good for me and I'll continue working hard and working with him.

"I feel like it was not just the manager (that was underperforming) it was the team as well. We needed to improve as a team and that's what we tried to do. Freddie is good at relating to the players because he's done it and he's worn the t-shirt. He knows how it feels to be in our position. But I feel like it was more of the team's fault and we needed to improve."

Seal of approval

As will surely be the case with many of Arsenal's talented prospects who have come through the academy, Ljungberg is very highly-regarded by each and every one of them. The Swede's work with the youth sides means the club's starlets are likely to feel re-energised by his presence on the touch-line, and that can act as a sort of breath of fresh air for their upcoming performances.

Recent reports have claimed the Gunners have got a 12-man shortlist as they look to permanently appoint a successor to Emery, but if results pick up, and players like Willock continue to sing his praises, then Ljungberg's chances of getting the top job will continue to increase.

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Raul Sanllehi must simply listen to the players themselves, as they have already shown that executive decisions may not be the best for them as a whole. Ljungberg's chances for the role in the long-term seems remote now, with names like Mikel Arteta and Carlo Ancelotti being bandied about. But if the Swede can inspire a turnaround, then the Gunners hierarchy must take heed.

Meanwhile, Arsenal have been told to cash in on Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang before it's too late, according to this pundit