Johan Djourou - My targets for the 2006/07 season
By Mo Khan
The first and last games of Johan Djourou’s season in 2005/06 perfectly illustrate the progress he made.
The 19-year-old began the campaign at Underhill against West Ham’s Reserves on a mundane Monday night in August. He ended it marking Andriy Shevchenko as Switzerland played Ukraine in the last 16 of the World Cup
So what impact has the last 12 months had on his fledgling career?
“Being young, playing in the World Cup and doing well, I think that can give you a boost of confidence,” he said. “But now I’m back here, I’m trying to win my place.
“I’m really want to get as many games as I can because I think I did quite well. But now I’ll try to impress the Arsenal manager so he keeps me playing. I’m a footballer and I’m professional so I want to play every game.
“[But] it’s the manager’s decision. I’ll be happy if I’m on the bench. I’ll accept it because I’m young and I know I’ve got time.”
With compatriot Philippe Senderos also at the Club, Arsenal may have an all-Swiss central defence in years to come.
“It’s possible in the future yes but we have good players,” said Djourou. “Kolo Toure is an amazing player, we’ve got Philippe Senderos, we’ve got Pascal Cygan and me so perhaps in the future. At the moment it’s not going to be like that.”
