Joe Willock hails "brilliant manager" Freddie Ljungberg and says Arsenal squad believe in him

Arsenal midfielder Joe Willock has backed interim manager Freddie Ljungberg following Sunday's 2-2 draw with Norwich.Ljungberg was appointed as caretaker boss at the Emirates Stadium after Unai Emery was sacked on Friday.A seven-match winless streak in all competitions cost the Spaniard his job, but Ljungberg was denied victory in his first game in charge.Arsenal's failure to beat Norwich at Carrow Road leaves them seven points adrift of the top four after 14 games.But Willock has hailed Ljungberg and insists the Gunners squad is fully behind the club's former winger."To be honest, we know collectively that we need to improve, whoever the manager," the midfielder toldSky Sports."Freddie is a brilliant manager. We believe in him and we are working hard to try and improve."He said the most important thing was to play with happiness, to get the pride in the badge back and to work to win."Every day in training we are trying to get that competitiveness back. I feel like [our luck] is going to turn in one game, and we can push on from there. It is coming, hopefully."Emery won only two of his final 11 Premier League matches in charge in north London.The former PSG and Sevilla head coach was criticised for his poor communication skills and his team's absence of an on-field identity, but Willock still praised the departing 48-year-old."Friday is in the past now. Emery was a very good man, a very good manager," he added.Arsenal will entertain Brighton at the Emirates Stadium on Thursday, before a trip to the London Stadium to face West Ham next Monday.Ljungberg's side then conclude the Europa League group stage against Standard Liege, against whom they must avoid defeat to guarantee a place in the knockout stage.READ MORE7 managers most likely to replace Unai Emery as Arsenal manager: Allegri, Arteta, Ljungberg...Time-wasting really is a scourge on football – here's how to fix itWherever Mauricio Pochettino ends up, the problems he faced at Tottenham will be the same wherever he goes