Ljungberg says MLS standards are high

Ljungberg currently plays for the MLS side Seattle Sounders (Photo: Ricardo Alvarez)

Former Arsenal midfielder Freddie Ljungberg has admitted that playing in America is a ‘whole different game’, but the standard is higher than people think.

Ljungberg currently plays for MLS side Seattle Sounders, and told World Soccer magazine that he believes that the American game has an enormous amount of potential.

“Last Summer I was a free agent for the first time in my life,” he told World Soccer magazine. “I had been a top professional since I was 16 and I wanted to try something completely different.”

“I had been hearing lots of positive things about playing in America. There is so much potential here.”

He went on to acknowledge that the sport is completely different in America, but he believes that the standard of play is higher than many people would imagine.

“It’s a whole different game. Here they ask me to do a lot of promotional work to push the sport. Also, I help out with the coaching.

“The standard is a lot better than people think. The games are really physical and played at a high tempo.

Ljungberg also said that he thinks that his former club’s current crop of players can win silverware this season.

“I’m an Arsenal man. I love the club. Arsene Wenger has a lot of good young players and they have the ability to achieve great things.”