Frederik Ljungberg was the most unpopular man in one corner of England on Saturday. The Swede was unmoved, just as he will be if he incurs the wrath of all England in a far-away confrontation in seven months' time.
Ribbed by England club-mates after the World Cup draw, the Arsenal midfielder received more hostile treatment after his role in the penalty that killed off Ipswich.
But the Swede seems to thrive on all this. He emerged as the game's pivotal figure and afterwards declared his confidence in himself, his club and his country.
"It was a penalty," Ljungberg insisted of the challenge by Mark Venus that had David Elleray immediately pointing to the spot before booking the defender.
And he was equally certain about Arsenal's ability to exploit Manchester United's fall from grace. The championship contest, he said, was "more equal and it will go on until the end".
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was more wary. "I'm concerned with capitalising on this. Last season we were top with United in mid-October and by December 1st the championship was lost."
After Thierry Henry dispatched his 18th goal of the season from the penalty spot shortly before the hour, Wenger rotated his side with one eye on tomorrow's Champions League game against Juventus.
George Burley rang more desperate changes but to no avail. Ipswich look a team not only short on luck but also of firepower in the absence of Marcus Stewart.
Admittedly, Ljungberg chested off the line from Herman Hreidarsson's header early in the second half but Stuart Taylor was not troubled again until the dying seconds when he parried Finidi George's fierce shot.
Titus Bramble's wayward pass after only five minutes also showed that Ipswich are making individual errors that, according George Burley, have "been haunting us all season." The ball was intercepted by Henry, who supplied Ljungberg to slide home.
"A typical Ljungberg goal - a typical run behind a defender," Wenger enthused.
The Swede also sensed opportunity as Robert Pires delivered an incisive pass that tempted Venus into his fateful challenge.
Having made several points to Ipswich, Ljungberg reminded everyone that Sweden were well under strength when they drew 1-1 with England at Old Trafford.
There was no reason, he suggested, that Sweden would not go one better on June 2nd.
IPSWICH: Sereni, Makin (George 63), Bramble, Hreidarsson, Venus, Wright, Holland, Peralta (Gaardsoe 81), Clapham, Naylor (Counago 68), Marcus Bent. Subs Not Used: Branagan, Darren Bent. Booked: Venus.
ARSENAL: Taylor, Lauren, Campbell, Upson, Cole, Ljungberg (Edu 85), Parlour, Vieira, Pires (van Bronckhorst 80), Henry, Kanu (Bergkamp 68). Subs Not Used: Keown, Stack. Booked: Ljungberg, Parlour. Goals: Ljungberg 5, Henry 56 pen.
Referee: D Elleray (Harrow-on-the-Hill).
