Arsenal centre-back Johan Djourou back from injury wilderness to plug defence
Johan Djourou is in line to make his first Arsenal start for more than 15 months against Blackpool on Saturday after returning to training following a hamstring injury.With new signing Laurent Koscienly serving a one-match suspension for his sending-off against Liverpool, Arsenal were facing a potential crisis at centre-back but
Djourou is now competing with Alex Song to partner Thomas Vermaelen.Djourou, a Swiss international, made just one appearance during the whole of the 2009-10 season following knee ligament surgery and was then also ruled out of Sunday's 1-1 draw at Anfield with a minor hamstring complaint.
It meant Song had to be included in the squad as defensive cover, despite still recovering from his own calf injury.
Manager Arsène Wenger wants to add another centre-back before the closure of the transfer window after the departures this summer of his three most experienced defenders in Sol Campbell, William Gallas and Mikaël Silvestre.
Wenger is also still keen to recruit a goalkeeper, with the club ready to make a renewed bid for Fulham's Mark Schwarzer.
Many Arsenal fans have lost faith in reserve team goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski as well as current No 1 Manuel Almunia, but the 25 year-old Poland international remains determined to prove himself.
"I can understand every single shout against me," said Fabianski. "I am going to do everything in my power to
show that I deserve to be respected.
"Then maybe they will start singing my name – that would be wonderful."
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/arsenal/7950900/Arsenal-centre-back-Johan-Djourou-back-from-injury-wilderness-to-plug-defence.html
