Football.London believe that Freddie Ljungberg is in pole position to replace Steve Bould at the club as assistant to Unai Emery.

Arsenal-v-Tottenham-Hotspur-Premier-League-2-1539862082
LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 31: Freddie Ljungberg, U23s Head Coach of Arsenal gives instruction to his team during the Premier League 2 match between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur at Emirates Stadium on August 31, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)

As we reported a couple of days ago, Steve Bould is expected to leave the club this summer.

Bould was one of only a few backroom staff to remain at Arsenal last summer, sharing the role of first-team assistant head coach with Juan Carlos Carcedo who arrived with Unai Emery.

Since 2012, however, Arsenal’s defence in the Premier League has conceded the following number of goals:

  • 2012/13 – 37
  • 2013/14 – 41
  • 2014/15 – 36
  • 2015/16 – 36
  • 2016/17 – 44
  • 2017/18 – 51
  • 2018/19 – 51

When you combine goals conceded in the other competitions, Arsenal shipped an embarrassing 65 goals this season and there certainly seems to be a decline at the back rather than a resurgence of any sort.

Is that Steve Bould’s fault? That question probably does need to be answered and the club thinks that Freddie could be it.

Football.London report that the plans at the club could see Freddie partner Bould however that seems unlikely at this point, although things always can change.

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 10: Steve Bould of Arsenal looks on during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal at Wembley Stadium on February 10, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 10: Steve Bould of Arsenal looks on during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal at Wembley Stadium on February 10, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

It’s worth noting that Bould was also rumoured to be on his way out last summer but stuck around against the odds. He reportedly applied for the manager’s role at Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC in Korea but didn’t make the final shortlist.

He was also linked with teaming up with Thierry Henry at Aston Villa and the Stoke manager’s job.