Ljungberg pledges future at "perfect" Arsenal

Freddie Ljungberg wants to stay at champions Arsenal, saying his life at the double-winning club was "perfect".

The flame-haired Swede scored 17 goals this season, including seven in consecutive games before Wednesday's victory over Manchester United, to help Arsenal win the premier league and FA Cup.

Newspapers say Ljungberg is now being chased by Italian clubs Lazio and Juventus for up to 20 million pounds ($29.25 million).

"I've heard all the rumours about the interest from Italy and I'm very flattered. But I have it really good in London and I'm staying at Arsenal," Ljungberg was quoted as saying in Saturday's Sun newspaper.

"Everything is perfect here for me -- my team mates, the coach and all the fans.

"It's like the people here are crazy. It's happiness and a joy I can hardly begin to believe.

"I've been told there were 100,000 people partying outside Highbury after we had won at Old Trafford on Wednesday night," he said.

Ljungberg's form peaked as he returned from injury in March, just as France international Robert Pires, voted English player of the year by journalists, was ruled out of the title run-in and the World Cup after suffering severe damage to his knee.

Filling in for Pires, the 25-year-old scored seven goals in seven games, including the second -- a sublime curling effort -- in Arsenal's 2-0 FA Cup victory over Chelsea last week.

Ljungberg has been named the premier league's player of the month for April.

"You couldn't find a more important player to the Gunners as the seasons draws to a close," the awards panel said.

"When other players have failed to hit the back of the net, he has been there to grab some very important goals."

Arsenal meet Everton at Highbury on Saturday for their final game of the season. Victory would set a new premier league record of 13 consecutive wins.

The Gunners have scored in every league match this season and are the first team in over 100 years to remain unbeaten away from home.