Soccer: Arsene Wenger last night insisted Freddie Ljungberg does have a future at Arsenal. The 29-year-old Sweden midfielder is currently out with a hamstring injury but has featured in just 10 of Arsenal's 22 Premiership games this term, and competition from the likes of Alexander Hleb and Tomas Rosicky mean a place in the starting team is no longer guaranteed.
Wenger admits he had talks with Ljungberg, whom he signed from Halmstads for £3million in September 1998, to reassure him there was still a place for him at the club.
"Freddie will stay. He has two more years to go," said Wenger. "Freddie is part of our of our squad and will be. He knows that. "I have clarified it with him and said 'listen, you stay and that is it'. I have spoken to him personally."
Defender Lauren is out of contract this season, and looks set to move on, with West Ham a likely destination.
Meanwhile, Wenger has denied an English FA charge of improper conduct and requested a personal hearing. The charge relates to his dismissal in the game against Portsmouth on December 16th.
Ryan moves to Scotland
Former Limerick, Galway United and Bohemians winger Bobby Ryan (27) is expected to make his Scottish Premier League debut for Dunfermline at Falkirk this afternoon after completing a €25,000 transfer from Shelbourne yesterday, reports Emmet Malone.
"Bobby hasn't played for six or seven weeks and ideally it would be two to three before he would make his debut here," said Dunfermline boss Stephen Kenny last night, "but he has been keeping himself fit and I need players right now."
A native of Limerick, Ryan previously worked with Kenny at Bohemians before transferring to Shelbourne two years ago.
"I signed him from Bohemians for Galway United and he did very well for me" added Kenny, "This is a step up for him but I have every confidence he can do well here."
In brief . . .
The English FA have charged Newcastle midfielder Emre with "using racially-aggravated abusive and/or insulting words" during a match against Everton on December 30th . . . Leeds have completed the signing of midfielder Alan Thompson (33) from Celtic until the end of the season . . . Burnley have signed Aston Villa's former Manchester United midfielder Eric Djemba-Djemba on loan until the end of the season . . . Bolton manager Sam Allardyce has confirmed Birmingham midfielder David Dunn (27) is on the verge of signing for him for £1 million, subject to a medical . . . Middlesbrough defender Robert Huth faces at least six more weeks on the sidelines after a suspected stress fracture was confirmed . . . Gary McAllister believes he is ready for a return to management for the first time since resigning as Coventry manager in 2004 to take care of his since deceased wife . . . The kick-off time for the Euro 2008 qualifying game between San Marino and the Republic of Ireland at the Stadio Olimpico, Serravalle, on February 7th has been confirmed as 8.45pm local time (7.45pm Irish).
