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Why Djourou should heed Hitzfeld’s advice

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Johan Djourou has had a tough time at Arsenal for sometime now. The Swiss defender hasn’t really established himself as a proper first-team player who, in truth, only played when someone else was injured.

The 25-year-old made just 14 Premier League starts last season, and when he did play it often highlighted his poor defensive traits.

Djourou of course did have some good games. But those games were very far apart.

For me, Djourou is just not a good enough defender. Simple as that.

But Switzerland coach Ottmar Hitzfeld is convinced that the centre-back’s inconsistency is down to a lack of regular game time at The Emirates Stadium. In my honest opinion, Hitzfeld is delusional.

Hitzfeld fears for Djourou’s national team chances and has urged him to consider his Arsenal future if he wants to continue being part of the Switzerland set up. The German also believes that the move may give him a better chance of playing in the 2014 World Cup qualifiers for the Swiss.

He was quoted on ESPN Soccernet saying:

‘For Djourou, the question arises of a transfer.

‘If he wants to be selected, he must have some game time in the club.

‘This is not the case at Arsenal.’

So, should he leave? Yes he should.

He clearly won’t get any better at Arsenal and both Laurent Koscielny and Thomas Vermaelen are rock solid when together in the centre of the back four. Djourou isn’t good enough to displace either of them. To make matters worse for the Swiss international, Per Mertesacker is fit and able to play, and we all know how good Per is.

It kooks like it will be an uphill battle for a starting role for Johan. Despite this, Djourou still signed a new contract keeping him at Arsenal until 2015 before the season concluded.

To conclude, he’s inconsistent and his decision-making is bordering on terrible. Sell him for whatever, as long as it’s for a reasonable price. Juventus are reportedly interested in him. We could then use this potential fee as a signing on bonus for some of our players whose contracts are running down, like Theo Walcott, Alex Song or Robin van Persie.

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huge Arsenal fan, love the team and all that comes with it.follower of all kinds of sports, football being my first love, yet to attend my first arsenal game but i am planning too, some time in the not to distant future. i enjoy writing as well, that's how i ended up here, never looked back....

6 comments

  • frankie frankie says:

    Doesn’t matter if he leaves. He is a terrible footballer. He wont get any better.

  • Anon says:

    I agree, he has to go … for the good of the club and himself.

    At Arsenal you always get chances… whether it is unexpectedly sometime in january/ feb or right from the start, you just have to be ready. Djourou never seems to be ready to grab his chance by the scruff and make the position his own. Furthermore, his temperament is just not on the level of kos, verma or mert, or even squilachi! He is not tenacious or mean and rarely do you see a drive in him … i question whether or not he is even a natural defender?

    Even taking into account that he had to play out of position. This is just not a good enough excuse to forgive his misgivings as a top flight footballer. When you are seen as fourth choice you need to make an impact, and he has failed… it is turning into another sendeos* … mistakes, that is.

    He needs more game time and he won’t get it here

  • brian says:

    No loss to Arsenal , he is about as usefull as a three legged racehorse. Hopefully he will take all the other deadbeats with him.

  • kennedy says:

    Djourou has to leave. He is ome of the deawoods who must go.He is a flop who has fell to meet the minimal requirements

    of an Arsenal materiaL. The sooner he goes the better for us.

    Kennedy

  • god forgive us,why in the first place was Jorouh given a new contract?i blame it squarely on Wenger.Jorouh is Nationwide division material.he shld hav gne for Free.

  • Major says:

    I pray that he takes the advice and buggers OFF quickly!

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