Freddie Ljungberg: I 100% do not understand Arsenal transfer policy | OneFootball

Arsenal great Freddie Ljungberg has taken aim at their transfer policy.

Ljungberg was manager of the club for a short period after Unai Emery was fired, and according to the Swede, their transfer policy makes little sense. Ljungberg particularly takes issue with Arsenal's swoop for Martin Odegaard, who arrived in January on a straight loan from Real Madrid.

The Norway international, who has just been named national team captain by coach Stale Solbakken, has become a first-choice under manager Mikel Arteta and scored in Sunday's derby victory over Tottenham.

Going into the game, Ljungberg was asked if he was surprised when Ödegaard arrived from Real Madrid in the agreed arrangement, quoted by the Mirror via Fotball Transfers, he replied: "Yes, I did. Ödegaard is a good player, do not get me wrong. But if you have players in the same position that you want to develop, and you bring in someone on loan and that you do not have a call option on, then you are only developing for another club, like Madrid in this case.

"I do not understand it 100 percent. If we want to move forward with Arsenal as a club, it is the young players who will make the difference."

Ljungberg, after retirement, spent over 18 months with the Gunners. Initially joining in June 2018 as the club's U23 coach, Ljungberg was soon promoted to first team duties as part of former manager Emery's staff. He would succeed the Spaniard following his sacking before eventually leaving the club after Arteta's appointment.

- updated March 16