Arsenal Mania

Djourou wants midfield role

Written by Jonathan Chong on Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Defender Johan Djourou thinks that he could be more of an asset in a central midfield role, and with the departure of Mathieu Flamini to AC Milan, the youngster may just get his chance.

After a failed loan spell at Birmingham, the Swiss international thinks that he could adapt his game to the fast-paced nature of a holding midfield player.

He said: "Playing in front of the defence is the position where my qualities are expressed best.

"Arsène Wenger says this to me too. Unfortunately, we do not play a system which enables me to hold this spot, like Claude Makelele does with Chelsea.

"I have not had many possibilities of showing my midfield capabilities. I hope my chance will come in the next few years.

"My great concern today is not to know if I play in defence or midfield, in the team or on the bench.

"I am only 21 years old. I have learned much already and always learn.

"The situation will be different when I am 26 or 27 years old. At this age, one wants to be fixed on the pitch and be able to exploit his potential to the full.

"Wenger had assured me that I returned [from Birmingham] to play but an injury kept me out for three months - it is football."

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User Comments

4

maya

Posted on 29 May, 2008 at 10:03 AM - Reply

I rate Alex Song higher than him though.

3

Scott

Posted on 28 May, 2008 at 06:46 PM - Reply

I say give him a try. It could only create more competition, which will be good. That would give us Gilberto, Song, Diaby and Djourou in the DM role. Not bad!

2

tha g myster

Posted on 28 May, 2008 at 05:37 PM - Reply

we do not need average players like him at the club. i'm a big fan of arsene and i have a lot of respect for him but i think he should give up this shit of buying 17 year old kids that are not even going to play for like another 5-6 years. by the time any of these players are good players the other top teams are just going to buy good players anyway so this youth policy is not advantageous to us whatsoever.

1

Babatunde

Posted on 28 May, 2008 at 02:31 PM - Reply

I recall that he did play this role in the 2005 Under 20 WYC at the age of 18 or 19 and didn't do badly there at all. His initial problem as a CD was that he usually delayed releasing the ball on time and getting caught in possesion. The defensive experience he has gained as a CD might be helpful if he does go back to an holding Midfielder role.