He may be fourth choice in the centre-back pecking order, but Johan Djourou still has a future at the Emirates, according to Arsene Wenger.
Having begun his Gunners career at Highbury in 2004, the Swiss is the longest serving member of the Arsenal first team squad by some margin. However, despite being only two years away from a testimonial (remember them?), his lack of football has proved concerning for national team coach Ottmar Hitzfeld.
Indeed, despite putting pen-to-paper on a new deal at the start of the year, reports circled this summer that the 25-year-old was on the lookout for more playing time elsewhere in the hope of strengthening his international credentials.
Dismissing any suggestion of letting the defender leave, Wenger told Swiss publication Blick why he continues to retain the services of a player he signed as a 16-year-old.
“Because I love the player – and he loves this club. We extended his contract in January.
“Johan is alongside [Thomas] Vermaelen, [Per] Mertesacker and [Laurent] Koscielny as one of four central defenders.
“All four are internationals, so the fight for a regular place is intense. Over the course of the season they’ll all get games.”
Arseblog News has no problem with Djourou staying on the books (as footballer, television host or go-to interview sound byte man). While his form last season was patchy, he has in the past proved himself a very capable member of the defence. That he continues to be a popular and loyal squad member is a further fillip given the manner in which other players have upped and left as soon as they didn’t get what they want.
He’s been a loyal servant and deserves the backing and trust of the manager. Despite being 4th in the pecking order, he’s still an important member of the squad in case of injuries and to maintain continuity in the squad.
I hope he stays for a long time.
hear hear. he is quality and he showed that a few years back, but he really does need a run of games as a first choice at this stage in his career so he’s in a difficult position. if we want to win a cup, have a decent run in the CL and maintain a challenge in the league we are going to need a big squad of players we can depend on though so he will get a chance this season. can’t be bad for the squad to have that pressure for places. everyone knows they have to take… Read more »
I agree. Kos and the Verminator are amongst the best in the Prem. Meet was out since February (I think) and has come back with very little loss of form, in my opinion. Djourou should be proud to be a part of this new-look Arsenal that boasts strength and depth in so many positions. We will not always field the “best” 11 and their will be injuries too. He will get his chances to shine. It may be just me but I feel we have a squad that could win a trophy this year. There is a lot of really… Read more »
Meet? Typo – that should be Mert! Auto fookin correct is getting on my last neve.
When I see a typo I refer to my keyboard to try and see if the mixed up letters are close. You sir, are of the hook.
we only have one Swiss.That’s Djourou.top player.
he does come from the same country as federer after all
I think u mean top top top player. Johan is a good professional all the same. Doesn’t complain. Just happy being an Arsenal player!!!
Top gunner
didn’t know Switzerland had more than two centre-backs.
We should have kept Senderos too !!
…one of four central defenders? What about squid? :S 😉
ah.
He’s our 3rd choice striker now, Arsene worked on him.
“put this ball in that net squid, not that one!!!, that one”
Unfairly maligned after his troubled performances at RB last season. Interesting to note that TV was equally atrocious at LB but there was hardly any criticism of him.
Agreed.
Djorou is a good CB. Right now, I’d say it’s our strongest position, depthwise.
And quality wise too. Verm/Kos/Mert are the best CBs in the league.
Kos is on the same level as Kompany.
His patchy performances were more when he had to fill in at right back if memory serves.
We need this guy, a free loader. Never complains, playing for the arse is a top job for him. He might not get as many games as he wants but his commitment is ever present. Great arsenal guy.
Good. Less than 2 years ago we were hailing him as the future of Arsenal’s defence – to have him as 4th choice can be no bad thing.
i’m the same as Wenger… i predict he’ll get time in the side…
about 50 mins in the league cup or whatever they are calling it this year
Up The Arsenal
Until the dire fiscal situation in the Eurozone is resolved, Djourou should be going nowhere.
No other player in the league, possibly the World, offers the same consistent level of indepth economic analysis, and we should be thankful we’ve got him.
Man this makes me want to re-read the things he said about the current economic climate. I was shocked that I was reading actual Djourou quotes, not some reader comments or lines from some news article at that time.
above me: delete and ban
ew wrong post, referred to poster “O” (spambot)
don’t forget me I can play CB as well
Yawn…..ynwa.
He must have shown some improvement under Bould.
So Squillaci no longer merits a mention as one of the central defenders in the team. Shame we couldn’t find him an alternate club.
no-one would have him
Liverpool might’ve done if we’d told them he could double up as a striker. We could’ve got ten million for him.
You don’t get much better number 4’s than him.. Keep him.
Our defence is better than anyone else in the league… Who would have thought that could be possible a year after 8-2 mauling and 4-3 loss to Blackburn.
I have no problem with djourou but its clear wenger is just trying to build his confidence/encourage him, like he always does with his players.
If reports are to believed wenger wanted yanga-mbiwa..and would clearly have shipped off djourou if he got him.
I heard coyote and M’biwa linked to Arsenal. This i see has an impossible transfer all bcos Djourou is more than capable. http://payram.com/ref.php?page=act/ref&invcod=38050
I don’t think that link is to an Arsenal website or even one with news that corresponds to the story…… After a quick Google search I have found that it is for a referral site and has nothing to do with football
I heard coyote and M’biwa linked to Arsenal. This i see has an impossible transfer all bcos Djourou is more than capable. Am sure. http://payram.com/ref.php?page=act/ref&invcod=38050
I heard coyote and M’biwa linked to Arsenal. This i see has an impossible transfer all bcos Djourou is more than capable. Am sure. http://payram.com/ref.php?page=act/ref&invcod=38050 ARSENAL
Impossibe?, Shoulda kept it to yoself then.
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if i ever get an arsenal shirt, it will have his name on it.. pure class!
I don’t envy the commentator that has to call the game with both Djourou and Giroud on the pitch at the same time.
D lad is a good bloke…I have no problem wit him being in d squad.plus d yang mbiwa wanted to go to Milan
You’ll gain few friends talking that way here, mate, and that’s “d” truth.
…other than you’re typing impediment, I agree with your sentiments regarding Djourou.