Johan Djourou Bio

Defender Djourou has been unlucky with injuries during his time at the club, impressing on loan, but failing to reach full fitness when back at the Emirates.

He was handed his first chance of a run in the Arsenal side in the second half of 2005/06 with the Gunners struggling with defensive injuries.

The player earned his first Premiership start in the superb 7-0 home win over Middlesbrough and filled in admirably until Kolo Toure returned from international duty with the Ivory Coast.

Djourou made his first Arsenal appearance as a late substitute in the Carling Cup victory at Manchester City in October 2004.

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 Championships in 2004.

Djourou, signed by the Gunners from Swiss side Etoile, earned rave reviews from all quarters as Switzerland reached the semi-finals.

With the departure of Sol Campbell, and an injury ravaged squad, Djourou was able to make his mark on the Arsenal side in 2005/06 with a series of good performances in the Premiership.

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.

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, and now even Alex Song appears to have leapt above him in the pecking order.