Freddie slams penalty decision

Freddie Ljungberg was not happy with the late penalty conceded by Arsenal.

Arsenal midfielder Freddie Ljungberg has expressed his delight at reaching the final of the UEFA Champions League, and revealed that he had faith in goalkeeper Jens Lehmann ahead of Villarreal's late penalty.

The Gunners booked their place in the final courtesy of a 1-0 aggregate win over The Yellow Submarines, but were nearly taken to extra time after conceding a dubious late penalty.

Lehmann saved Juan Roman Riquelme's spot-kick, but Ljungberg feels that the decision to penalise Gael Clichy for an innocuous looking challenge on Jose Mari was harsh.

"I'm not particularly happy that the referee awarded a penalty with two minutes left, in that fashion," he explained.

"But I believed that Lehmann would save it and he did."

Ljungberg was employed in the centre of midfield against Villarreal, and he admits that it is a position he relishes.

"I like to play in the middle. You get more involved in the play and get to use your tactical knowledge to defend," he remarked.

"It's a part of the game I enjoy and feel is important."

The Swede also declared that he would like to face Barcelona, rather than Milan, in the final, so that he can square up against countryman Henrik Larsson.

"It would be fun to play against Henrik in the final and to have two Swedes there."