Freddie Ljungberg has revealed he fought for Arsenal to field a team in the EFL Trophy so his youngsters could gain experience of “beating grown men”.

The Gunners’ Under-21 side won their first match in the competition last night, a 3-0 rout of Coventry City led by playmaker Emile Smith Rowe.

Arsenal had declined an invitation from the EFL to enter the competition, which pits League One and Two first-teams alongside top flight academies, in each of its first two seasons but surprisingly opted to join the tournament this season.

“I fought quite hard for us to be in this competition because I think it gives players experience of beating grown men,” Ljungberg told Standard Sport.

“It’s different, you see that when the tackles go flying in and the fans are cheering. That’s what happens in men’s football and they have to be ready for it.

“We’re not always the strongest players on the pitch, you have to use your technique in different ways. They learned a lot tonight and that’s great.”

Ljungberg added: This is a very important competition to be a part of for young players to get a touch of first team football.

“We send them on loan but then we can’t coach them at the same time as they play against first-teams, I can do that here. It’s great for me.”

Ljungberg appears to have swiftly settled into his new role at Arsenal, where he is primarily coaching the U23 side in addition to leading the U21s in the EFL Trophy.

The young guns were watched by Unai Emery’s assistant Steve Bould, who appeared to be thoroughly impressed as he watched Smith Rowe, Eddie Nketiah and Joe Willock strike in a comprehensive victory over League One opponents.

Bould will likely relay a glowing assessment to Emery but Ljungberg reveals he is working closely with the new head coach.

“We speak every week, talk about players, what we’re thinking,” he said. “He’s very open, which helps me a lot. Of course I have my own way of how I want to play and he never tells me how to do that. But we’re quite similar regardless.

“I just want to prepare them so they’re ready when they go up to his training. He worked them really, really hard this summer and they’re very fit. My boys need to be ready for that.

“He’s an open manager and a nice, respectful man. He always asks how they’re doing. We had a few staff from Arsenal here today to look at them, it feels great for me that there’s interest from above.”