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Freddie Ljungberg says Arsenal have a ‘strong character’ in their ranks, did well despite loss
Arsenal icon Freddie Ljungberg has waxed lyrical about Bernd Leno following his display in the Europa League on Thursday night.
The pressure was on the Gunners goalkeeper in wake of his error against Everton last week as Mikel Arteta’s charges took on Villarreal in their semi-final first leg.
However, Leno performed admirably against Unai Emery’s side and, even though the Gunners were beaten 2-1, he could do little about either goal.
Indeed, the Germany international pulled off a sublime save to deny Gerard Moreno at 2-0, a stop that kept Arsenal in the tie and could go a long way next week.
“He is a strong character,” Ljungberg said on BT Sport 3 (April 29, 10:12). “I never doubt him personally. I really like him.”
Manu Trigueiros opened the scoring for the hosts on five minutes before Raul Albiol made it two just before the half-hour mark.
Dani Ceballos was then sent off before the hour but Arsenal managed to get an away goal, Nicolas Pepe netting a 73rd-minute penalty.
And the game finished with both sides down to ten men after Etienne Capoue was given his marching orders 10 minutes from time.
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All goalkeepers will make mistakes at some point in their career, but it’s how they bounce back that matters, and Leno certainly put his Everton error behind him.
Villarreal threatened to run away on the night but Leno’s crucial save against Moreno then paved the way for a result which, while bad, is not catastrophic.
Arsenal are still in the tie and hopefully they’ll turn it around at the Emirates next week.