Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger lines up Freddie Ljungberg for coaching role with under-18s

Former Arsenal midfielder Freddie Ljungberg is reportedly being lined up for a coaching role at the club. The 39-year-old Swede is wanted by Gunners boss Arsene Wenger to take up the Arsenal under-18 coaching position that was previously held by Thierry Henry.

The Frenchman vacated the role earlier this summer when Wenger told him that he could only remain in the job if he decided to terminate his other role as a TV pundit for Sky Sports. Instead, Henry - the club's all-time leading goalscorer - declined Wenger's offer and opted to pursue his coaching career elsewhere.

Although Arsenal are still to formally offer the coaching role to Ljungberg, he has emerged as the outstanding internal candidate to assist Kwame Ampadu with the under-18s, according to The Times. The Arsenal boss is reportedly impressed by the work Ljungberg has previously done with the club's under-15s after returning to the club last January.

Wenger also previously considered handing the role to former Arsenal captain Tony Adams, but he instead left the North London club to run the academy at Chongqing Lifan, the Chinese side.

Appointing Ljungberg would go some way towards alleviating criticism of his backroom staff, with some fans having previously blasted Wenger for allowing former Gunners to pursue their coaching careers away from the Emirates Stadium.