Johan Djourou - the missing link?

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

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Fortunate to escape a replay - Squillaci is a goon.

All teams need luck to be successful. Yesterday we were very lucky. Huddersfield pressed well and deserved their goal.

To Sebastien Squillaci, what an absolute Goon. I can't tell you how frustrating that decision by Squillaci was. He was always going to get carded for that and 8 times out of 10 it will be a red. It was arguably the most cynical, blatant professional foul I've seen in ages.

The positive, he's suspended for 3 games. Lets hope Djourou and Koscielny can keep up their good form.

Wenger's gamble on Nasri got found out and now we are without the mercurial French wizard for at least 3 weeks, with the possibility of him missing the first leg of Barca a strong one. Arsene has said that he wanted to play Rosicky in his place but he was still too week following illness. A reasonable gamble and not one to be blamed (unless there was prior indications that his hamstring was fatigued and at risk). I feel for Nasri and hope that his recovery is speedy and he can make it back for Barca.

The important thing to remember is that we avoided a replay that we couldn't afford. Now we need to focus on our next game and work on getting our key players fit. I wonder how far off Vermaelen is?

WG

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Staking a claim, right through scumbag Terry's face...

In big games like last night it needs a collective team performance to get a positive result. Last night we got that. Many are pointing to the waning star of Chelsea as a reason for the victory. I think that does Arsenal a disservice and we have much to be proud of,.

I'm loathed to pick out individual performances from such a fantastic team effort, but here are some that stood out for me.

- Wilshire, Young Jack excelled last night. Showing a maturity above his years he was no over-awed by the occasion and excelled in his role. Up against the likes of Fat Frank and Essien he played extremely well and its worth noting that the central midfield of Chelsea were very poor last night. Even swapping Mikel for Ramires did not inspire an insipid performance, no doubt they were hampered by the bustling of Wilshire, Fabregas and Song.

- Song, A great performance by the guy that Wenger said lacked the engine to be a central midfielder (no doubt kidology to make him work harder in training). He was snapping at heels from the first whistle to the last and covered every blade of grass. He's not perfect, but his goal was well taken and his performance deserves noting. His contribution in keeping Chelsea's midfield quiet was significant.

- Fabregas, Back to his mercurial best, if not trying a bit hard at times, it was a great game to have him for, his dynamism, drive and vision was a constant thorn to Chelsea and he deserved the applause he got when Wenger brought him off early to an ovation. Excellent performance from the skipper.

- Djourou & Koscielny, Both played extremely well last night to shackle the Drog. Both showed the best and worst of their games. Koscielny wandered once or twice into midfield and got caught when Chelsea broke, Djourou's timing of headers and runs with opponents was a bit hit and miss but between them an excellent performance.

- Theo, always a threat last night. Cashley was in trouble as soon as he got that stupid booking for kicking the ball away. Theo went past him time and time again and put in crosses (mostly poor) and had a shot on target which forced an excellent save from Cech. Theo's vision to put Cesc through clean on goal was excellent and he showed great composure to score his goal. Another performance showing the best and worst of a young professional who is clearly improving and showed that in abundance last night.

So, in summary and excellent performance all round. Not one player did poorly and will have much to be happy with today. Next game is paramount however, you're only as good as your last game and we need to go to the DW up 'ere in Wigan tomorrow night and get a result.

I'll see you there in the cold and rain Gooners, its a shame Cesc is suspended, he'd have ruined Hendry Thomas and Diame.

WG.

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We fought them across every green blade

Talk is cheap, hyperbole for the media. Before this match both sides were firing shots, some of ours were friendly fire, intended to inspire and stoke up our players. Should we have needed motivation for tonights match, it was in no short supply.

Tonight was a massively professional performance by a team wanting to banish some mental demons. Across the park there were some great performances. I don't want to analyse it today, this is best served with a clear head and deployed thought.

Needless to say I'm delighted, our midfield and attach terrorised Chelsea and Koscielny and Djourou shackled the Drog.

For now, its a great night and we're back in second place at the happy end of the Prem once again.

WG

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Lift up rug and sweep....furiously.

I've considered it, even written it but I have no intention of publishing my review of this weekends game. I just don't want to talk about it. My post was full of vitriol and not for anyone's eyes but my own. I've since rediscovered my centre and I'm at peace.

Tomorrow then, away to Braga. Clichy, Arshavin and Van Persie all miss the trip to Portugal in a game where we need all 3 points. Clichy has a back injury, Arshavin is knackered and Van Persie is still chasing full fitness. I would suggest however that it might be better for RvP to travel and play 30 mins or a half against Braga unless he is injured?

We're still short of the likes of Almunia, Diaby and the luckless Vermaelen due to their respective injuries so we will probably see a starting eleven similar to what started on Saturday. I hope Vermaelen recovers soon, I feel we're missing that communicator, that leader at the back hugely.

I would like it, I really, really would if Djourou started instead of Koscielny, he's in much better form. I'm restraining myself from saying anything unnecessary here, we all know what happened at the weekend.

I expect a much improved defensive performance tomorrow night. My ideal squad for tomorrow is below, tell me what you think

Fabianski
Sagna	Squillaci Djourou			Gibbs
	Wilshire Song
Nasri		Fabregas		Rosicky
		Chamakh

So, ignoring the results at the weekend lets all get behind our boys and support them. We can win tomorrow night and continue our march out of the group stage.

WG

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Tackling to the last man

Johan Djourou has been speaking out about his partnership with Squillaci. It seems he is enjoying it and it cannot be discounted in any way just how well Squillaci has stepped into our team and the Premier League so seamlessly and performed at no less than excellent in every game. He has made mistakes, but he's also defended extremely well and its good to see him doing so well after showing early promise in his career. He's played a lot of games and he hasn't let us down.

JD has also been commenting on the confidence that Fabianski gives them, this is a huge boon for the Arsenal defence. Fabianski is currently in sparkling form and I hope I don't jinx him. It can be seen across the team how much they like him and I think its giving them all a boost that the Pole in Goal is doing so well.

I don't recall anyone talking about Almunia this way. Naturally thats just to say that I don't remember not that it didn't happen. When Mad Jens used to play for us he also used to get talked about a lot, his performances were always analysed over and above what is required for decent punditry. MoTD and others wanted to exacerbate any mistake and over publicise his faults.

What they couldn't take away from him, what they couldn't taint with any bias was that Mad Jens stood up and showed them he was a fantastic Goalkeeper on the pitch, because thats where professionals do their talking.

I look forward to watching Fabianski grow and see how he gets on.

WG

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Has Arsene's biggest mystery been solved?

Tackling the mystery of the leaky back four - I'm of the firm belief that our defence this year is miles better than what we've had for the last 5 years.

In Vermaelen, Squillaci, Koscielny and Djourou we have 4 players who know how to communicate with each other. Thats a great start. There are no big ego's in our new look defence. We have 4 centre backs that consistently put their bodies in the way and fight for Arsenal.

Squillaci has consistently demonstrated his ability and his leadership skills. He's been awesome for Arsenal so far this season. You're only ever as good as your last game but he deserves considerable credit for his seamless integration into the PL and into Arsenal. He's a great communicator and it speaks volumes that we've been keeping clean-sheets - not discounting the performances of Fabianski but it helps when his defence are talking to each other.

Koscielny seems to be growing every game as he adapts, he's quick across the ground and is excellent in a 1v1 situation. His ability to read the game is commendable and he certainly got Sczcesny off the hook last week. He seems able to slot in alongside any player and its his adaptability in this regard that stands out.

Djourou is also getting back to the match fitness and delivering the performances I expect from him. He's a good defender, good in the air and fast on his feet. Anyone who knocks him for letting Tevez past him is one banana short of a fist-(ing). Tevez is one of the best in the world and that time he beat Djourou, but he didn't score. Djourou needs games to get his rythym but he's impressing on his journey to get there.

I don't need to talk about Vermaelen, we know what we get from him. Committed, tough, determined performer who doesn't give less than 100%. He doesn't take any prisoners but he's fair and professional.

Because our centre-backs are performing to a good standard, Clichy and Sagna look more relaxed, you can see it in their body language as they move about the field. This has aided in their performances and both have been receiving credit recently.

Put behind these players a keeper who is a good shot stopper, someone who is brave and talented and we have all the ingredients for a decent title challenge. I'm still confident that we have what it takes to win the PL. When Vermaelen is fit he will slot in with Squillaci and they will dominate. I can't wait to see it. Expect a whole lot more clean sheets.

WG.

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How to silence one's critics

Massive game today for us. It was a must-win game and we did just that. It wasn't a game marred or tainted by anything. It was a great performance. There can't be a "what if" from Citeh. Boyata had to go. I feel sorry for the lad, he's young and he'll learn from this.

Lukasz Fabianski has had much to contend with during his time in an Arsenal shirt. Today he flipped the bird at everyone, including me that ever doubted his potential. He was awesome in goal today and never looked like conceding. From the first save from Silva to the end he was switched on, tuned in and the nervous errors truly locked out.

I was in awe of his first save, I'd wager money Almunia wouldn't have stopped that. It was excellent. Saves like that are what Wenger's been seeing in training all along and I'll guarantee noone will be happier than him with the exception of Fabianski.

Todays game was everything I could have hoped for and more. It could have been four or five to the Arsenal and I loved every minute of the 93 played. I thought we fought very well and another player to do himself credit today was Denilson. He was superb sitting deep with Song and fighting in the midfield.

I think there are lots of things we can take out of the game. Djourou played superb alongside Squillaci who again did very well. Clichy played extremely well also. I think a lot can be said for confidence in the guy between the sticks. But in general it was an excellent team performance.

A great result. More to follow tomorrow when its sunk in.

WG

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