Johan Djourou: story of ultimately unfulfilled promise. 

It seems that we are about to bid farewell to our Swiss defender Johan Djourou. It is reported in the German press this evening that a fee of around 2 million euros has been agreed between Hannover in Germany and The Arsenal, and it seems therefore that in due course, Djourou will depart North London for Germany.

Many Arsenal fans it seems are relieved that he has gone as they do not see him being able to offer anything to Arsenal, and they may have a point, however I look upon this departure with a feeling of sadness actually. This is because I believe Djourou leaves with unfulfilled promise and talent. I look back 2 seasons to the 2010-2011 season where in my opinion Djourou was absolutely magnificent at the back for us, alongside (at the time) the new signing Luarent Koscielney. They formed a great understanding and managed to play absolutely brilliantly against the likes of Lionel Messi, David Villa, Didier Drogba e.t.c. at the Emirates in wins against FC Barcelona and Chelsea, that season. In fact is form was such that, when he got injured at Old Trafford in the FA Cup in early 2011, I recall many Arsenal fans were panicking because they did not want to see him out of the team, such were the level of his performances for the team. At the start of 2011 Djourou and Koscielney actually broke a Premier League record for the amount of clean sheets in a row, and were looking really really good together, during Thomas Vermalean's (our current skipper) long injury lay-off that season.

I thought at the time, that this was going to be the start of a very successful Arsenal career in defence for Johan, however it wasn't to be. Johan was knocked out of the team through a mixture of injury and a dip in form, which in turn coincided with Arsenal dropping out of the Premier League title race, and also you could argue the return of Thomas Vermalean from the treatment room. He has never recovered from this, and therefore has never really had a run in the team since. This is why, I believe, when we have seen him play, he has been below par because he has not been able to get any real run in the team, which of course makes it difficult to come in and play only on a handful of occasions in any given season.

This is why I say farewell to Johan, a likeable fella, with a heavy heart. I think he has probably not had the best luck over the last few years, had he not picked up an injury in that season (2010-2011) he probably would have had a longer run in the team, and who knows may be staying at the club. However, as it happens, it has not worked out like that, and he will now be leaving our club to play in the German Bundesliga. I wish Johan all the best, and hope that he will show over there the ability that he showed, for us, in that season 2010-2011, and it is with regret that I say we didn't get to see that form on a continued basis!

Moving on, what now for our defence? I would not actually expect Arsene to go and buy another defender to compensate for the departure of Johan, instead I believe that Miquel will probably be promoted up the ranks if you like, as he has ability. He is someone who is very comfortable on the ball, has good pace and has impressed me when he has played for the team over the last few seasons, mainly in the League Cup, but also when called upon last season to play LB, during an injury crisis, and performed admirably at City in late 2011 out of position there. Therefore I fully expect Miquel to step up to our 4th choice CB, however I would not be at all shocked if we sign a new CB in the summer, this is probably the thing to do!

Anyway, once again I thank Johan for his contribution to the club, and as with most departures of our club he leaves with my best wishes. I think he is better than a lot of people think, but ultimately could not get a long enough run in the side! Good luck Johan!!!

UP THE ARSENAL

@Mr_arsenal_blog

p.s. Everyone please check out a great young Arsenal blogger's page, the link for which is below:

http://sameoldarsenal.wordpress.com/