I said earlier this season I wanted to see Djourou given a shot this season. The reason behind this is that Arsene allegedly told Djourou that when he sold Kolo (and bang on time it seems, another astute sale Mr Wenger) Djourou would be the player to step up into that first team role.
Looking at Djourou, he's an impressive 6'4", powerful, pacy guy, blessed with a great reading of the game. Born in the Ivory Coast, in Abidjan no less. Abidjan seems to have been a hot-bed of talent, with the likes of Drogba, Didier Zokora, Eboue to name but a few.
Johan's family moved to Geneva when he was only 17 months old which allowed him to begin his football education in Europe in Switzerland with the Payerne Training Centre and then joined Etoile-Carouge FC as a Midfielder in 2002. Only a few months later he signed scholarship forms for Arsenal, signing professional terms on the 1st August 2003.
As most of us are very much aware its 2011 so he's been with us for 8 years. He spent a season on loan with Birmingham in 2008 and I really hoped he would be able to kick on from that and start battling for a first team spot. I saw he had great raw talent, he's strong, powerful in the air and composed on the ball.
Unfortunately, similar to the on-form RvP, injuries curtailed his progress and route to the first team. However, like RvP, he is enjoying a renaissance this season and his good form is a testament to the quality that he has in abundance provided he can stay fit. We were all there, practically chewing our nails to the bone when we saw him go off injured, especially as it was one of his troublesome knees!
I wonder, when in one of those barely lucid moments where I think back about this season, whether we are destined to win the league this season, because with Djourou and RvP we are in a great place to do it. If Djourou can put his injury concerns behind him forever, I'd like to see him lift a trophy or two, after his career to date and what he's been through, the guy deserves a break.
WG
No comments:
Post a Comment