Freddie Ljungberg is playing a much more prominent role in Arsenal’s first-team training sessions right now, which makes you wonder if he’s being primed for a role in the managerial set-up.

At the start of the international break, Ljungberg helped Unai Emery to coach a first-team training session at London Colney. The former Gunner clearly made a good impression, because he was called back again to do the same on Wednesday.

The decision to involve Ljungberg with the first-team squad more is seemingly a response to how well he’s done in his duties as u23 manager so far. After a whirlwind start, with a 6-5 defeat to Manchester City back in August, the 41-year-old has the youngsters on the right track and playing some really nice football.

Despite that opening day defeat, Arsenal’s u23s are now second behind Everton in the Premier League 2 on goal difference. They’re undefeated in six games, and Ljungberg also managed the u21s to a debut 3-0 victory in the Checkatrade Trophy.

Ljungberg managed all that despite having to deal with a number of key absences. The likes of Eddie Nketiah and Emile Smith Rowe are constantly in and out of the team when senior opportunities look like they might present themselves, whilst Reiss Nelson is on loan at Hoffenheim. Nonetheless, he’s getting the best out of whoever is available.

Arsenal fans are jumping the gun, as always, calling the Swedish coach “Emery’s replacement” and similar on Twitter:

Perhaps it’s not so far-fetched to suggest Ljungberg might have a future as an assistant if he continues on his current path though. Maybe even as manager one day. We’ll see how the rest of the season goes.