Freddie's injury nightmare

Arsenal and Sweden star Freddie Ljungberg admits he is playing through the pain.

Ljungberg has suffered with numerous injuries over the last few years and he is currently having to have his foot drained following every Arsenal game.

Despite the effects of playing, the Swede says he will continue to do his best as Arsene Wenger's men aim to reach the Champions League final with victory over Villarreal in the semi-final second leg.

"I play with a lot of pain, but sometimes as a footballer you have to do that," said Ljungberg in The Sun.

"It's a lot of pain in the foot when I twist or turn. The foot swells and fills up with blood and we have to 'tap out' after every match.

"It's painful but the pain is not so bad that I cannot play, but of course it's not good.

"I feel pain maybe 10 times during a match but that's pain I am willing to take."

Ljungberg is a vital member of Sweden's World Cup squad for this summer's tournament in Germany.

With a possible Champions League final in the middle of May, Ljungberg is unlikely to get much time to recover between the end of the domestic campaign and the start of Sweden's World Cup preparations.

"I already know that I have to play injured during this summer's World Cup," he added.

"I have to wait until after the World Cup to sort the problems out.

"Hopefully I can rest a little bit a week or so before the tournament starts."