Who is Emil Forsberg? Sweden £45m World Cup star and RB Leipzig assist king linked with Arsenal
RB Leipzig attacking midfielder helped the newly-promoted side become genuine title contenders
Sweden have been one of the surprise packages of this World Cup, finishing top of a tough Group F and knocking Germany out of the tournament.
And they set up a date with England thanks to a deflected strike from Emil Forsberg against Switzerland.
Football Whispers takes a closer look at the 25-year-old, who could be Unai Emery's first signing at Arsenal.
Who is Emil Forsberg?
A key member of Ralf Hasenhuttl’s high octane RB Leipzig outfit, Forsberg's excellent technical ability and athleticism have been key for the East German side.
A superb passer of the ball, he has demonstrated sublime vision and a reading of the game that brings teammates into play from angles others wouldn’t even dare attempt.
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There are elements of Christian Eriksen to his game, but with more pace and speed to burst down the flanks. One player that has benefited most is striker, Timo Werner.
Able to drift wide and deliver a cross, or play through the middle and slip a pass, the Swede can do it all.
And a predator like Werner has scored a lot of goals due to Forsberg’s exceptional passing and forcefulness on the counter-attack.
In either position, it’s the movement of the Swedish international that has been another essential ingredient.
It is his sense of being able to find space where others wouldn’t, and a decisiveness in being able to exploit opponents.
Speaking to Swedish outlet Expressen, he was asked about this trait and just how he is so good.
He said: “I have not trained for it. This is more instinctive and it comes automatically as I play.
"You have to look at how to get around defences, then you will find the door, it need not be large.”
He then touched on a bit of advice Leipzig’s famed sporting director Ralf Rangnick told him, revealing: “Rangnick has always told us to swim in the area. Find out where there’s a gap and then 'boom'. This is why I see myself as a No10.”
On the defensive end, the former Malmo hotshot is no slouch either. His high-energy pressing would be welcomed and had led to rumours linking him to Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool.
It’s no surprise that the defensive side of Leipzig’s play under Hasenhuttl and Rangnick’s guidance has been an integral component of Leipzig’s rise, as their 4-2-2-2 hexagonal shape has given them a fantastic platform to control the centre of the pitch.
Forsberg insisted: "We have an idea and the whole of Red Bull stands for the same thing.
"We did the same against Dortmund, against Wolfsburg and Monchengladbach. Everyone has their role.
“Ralf Rangnick has been very clear about what he wants here and doesn’t want here.
"A player can be amazing with the ball, but even better without the ball. We push this to the extreme.”
Forsberg has shown he is a workhorse willing to give everything for his club.
That comes from having a father and grandfather than both played professional, plus his wife, who plays for the RB Leipzig women’s team. It’s in the Swede’s genes to play to the best of his ability.
Contracted until 2022, it would take a bid of at least £40million to see the potential superstar leave the German club.
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