Ljungberg urges Gunners to spend

Arsenal legend Freddie Ljungberg has told his former club to open their wallets if they want to keep Robin van Persie.

Ljungberg believes that a couple of top class players could persuade the Netherlands striker to sign a new deal with the club, rather than leave for pastures new.

The former Sweden International feels that the Gunners can compete for trophies again, but keeping the Dutch international will be vital to any future success.

“I think there’s nothing to advise Robin, I think it’s more that you have to advise Arsenal,” Ljungberg told Goal.com.

“When Robin came to Arsenal we were a good team and we were winning trophies.

“I think that’s what he wants to do, and I think that Arsenal maybe have to open their wallet a little bit and buy maybe two or three top, top players… not just players for the squad.

“I think that will win Robin over on whether he will stay or not, and as a fan I hope that’s what he is going to do because I want to see Arsenal lift trophies again.”

Ljungberg said that the building of the Emirates Stadium prevented the Gunners from spending big in the transfer market, but believes that the club is now in a healthy financial position and should look to bring new players in.

“I know that when they built the new stadium, that took a toll on their economy and they couldn’t show their muscle so much in the transfer market, so yes I think they have to (spend more) now.

“It’s about competition, and a big club in a healthy situation, as they are, need to not lose players and get players in.

“That’s what we did in the past when we were at Highbury and I hope we can do it again.”

When asked about coach Arsene Wenger, Ljungberg is unsure how much backing in the transfer market he has from the club’s board.

And he believes that what Wenger has done with a young squad should be applauded and if money is available then experienced players should be brought in.

“I would like to hear the owners talk openly,” Ljungberg said.

“Because I’m not sure he gets the money that has been talked about in the media. If he is not able to get the money to buy players, Arsene has done wonders.

“It’s amazing to do what he’s done with a young squad, so I don’t think that should fall on him at all when he’s criticised.

“If we don’t know if the money is there, and the board hasn’t said anything, then he has done wonders.

“But if the money will be there this summer I think it will be a good thing to get some players that will lead the young ones and who have actually won things before to be able to get that winning mentality back.”

Meanwhile, Ljungberg is concerned about Sweden’s form at Euro 2010.

“I think it has concerned everyone (Sweden’s start to Euro 2012) that has Swedish sympathies, especially the way the coach wants them to have an offensive game and play good football,” he said.

“We didn’t see that in the game (against Ukraine) and we lost the game.

“But it’s very important to win and go through and now they have to almost win against both England and France and that’s going to be extremely difficult.”