Emmanuel Frimpong is hoping to rebuild his career in humble surroundings in Sweden.

• Former Arsenal player now plays for Swedish team AFC Eskilstuna
• Frimpong has struggled with injuries since leaving the club
• Claims he has been misunderstood over off-field antics

The midfielder was a bright prospect at Arsenal and broke into the team at the start of the 2011-2012 season. He was infamously sent off on his debut against Liverpool.

However, injuries curtailed his development and the midfielder ended up in loan hell, turning out for Wolves, Fulham and Charlton before his release in 2014.

Frimpong somehow found himself playing in Russia – first for FC Ufa, then for Arsenal Tula – before moving to Sweden to join AFC Eskilstuna.

“My ambition is just to play football,” he said, speaking with ESPN. “No matter where it is, just to play football, because for the last couple of years I’ve missed so much football that I just want to get back playing and enjoying myself.”

The town of Eskilstuna has a small population of 70,000 and feels that the quiet environment is helping him.

“For me over here, this is something that I needed,” he continued. “Somewhere very quiet, somewhere where people do appreciate your efforts and love having you around.”

It’s a far-cry from his time in London, where he was renowned for his Twitter antics and overuse of the word “dench”. Frimpong became something of a parody, and is remembered more for his behaviour than his talent.

Still, Frimpong enjoyed his time as an Arsenal player.

“I ended up playing for the team that I love, the team that I support,” he said.

“For me that was even enough, just playing for Arsenal even if it was for one minute. I’ve played for my country so, for me, as a footballer, that’s what you dream of, playing for the club you love and for your country.”

Frimpong had, if nothing else, passion for the club.

His post-Arsenal career hasn’t gone to plan, but maybe he’ll find form and fitness in Sweden.