JOHAN DJOUROU

Defender Djourou has been unlucky with injuries during his time Arsenal, impressing on loan at Birmingham, but failing to make a significant impact when back at the Emirates.

Having signed for the Gunners from Swiss side Etoile, he was handed his first real chance of a run in the Arsenal side in the second half of 2005-06 with the Gunners struggling with defensive injuries.

On August 10, 2007, he signed for Birmingham City on loan for a five-month period and impressed in the centre of defence during his time there. Returning to Arsenal in January, he was unable to displace William Gallas or Philippe Senderos.

Although born in the Ivory Coast, Djourou is actually holds citizenship with Switzerland and was part of the country’s squad at the European Under-19 Championship in 2004. He earned rave reviews from all quarters as Switzerland reached the semi-finals.

He also earned a call up to the Switzerland 2006 FIFA World Cup squad despite not playing in the qualifiers and only getting his international debut in March. He then signed a six-year contract extension with Arsenal after the competition.

Djourou has continued to struggle for regular first-team action, with injuries, poor form and competition for places all playing their part. He featured 22 times in the league during the 2010-11 campaign but has since slipped down the pecking order following the additions of Laurent Koscielny, Thomas Vermaelen and Per Mertesacker. In spite of this, it was reported in February 2012 that Djourou had signed a three-year contract extension until summer 2015.

Strengths: Swift across the turf, Djourou is no slouch. He is also composed on the ball.

Weaknesses: Positionally suspect, his concentration has also been called into question.

Career high: Featuring three times for Switzerland at the 2006 World Cup

Career low: Finishing as a League Cup runner-up in 2011 when Arsenal were beaten by Birmingham.

Style: Languid, elusive, athletic, an enigmatic midfielder.

Quotes: “Johan was a midfielder and that’s why he likes to come out and play with the ball but he is as well tall, strong in the air and quick. He has all the assets to become a very good centre back.” - Arsene Wenger, 2010.

Trivia: He would choose Denzil Washington to play him in a film of his life, according to Arsenal’s official website.