Well he signed a contract recently so we've got to deal with the fact that he'll be with us for the next 2 years at the least. Obviously Arsene still believes in him so there must be something we have missed. Last year against Barca in the 2nd leg showed he ACTUALLY CAN put in a top-class performance but he has seemed to just go backwards rather than forward.
I think maybe he can modify our whole opinion on him if he can just get consistent and cut out the silly errors. We have no choice but to try and believe in this guy, let's hope he comes good hey. Anyone watch David Luiz yday? Very solid, still had some dodgy moments but played very well, there is an example...
My friend (United fan) absolutely hated Evans around october but has now been won over, well I currently dislike Djourou so who knows...
JD will never be first choice but at some stage this season he will be relied on as Kos in a couple of cards away from suspension and TV ends up limping at some point every game.
Or Djourou may just be another POOR Wenger defensive judgement like Cygan, Silvestre, Squilacci, Senderos etc...
Can Djourou Do A Jonny Evans
posted on 15/3/12
Nah he does deserve his stick, he has cost us points!
posted on 15/3/12
I understand but at the top level players that can come in on short term basis and perform are required. He needs to be relied on for that. Like Chelsea could fall back on Alex, and United could fall back on O'Shea and City with Kolo. JD needs to be that player for us.
posted on 15/3/12
D'Jeezus, unless I am mistaken, Djourou's first game back from over a year out injured was in a 120 minute match against Spurs in which he was outstanding. He was then used sparingly until the new year and in all of those games he looked a decent player, then in the new year when he formed that partnership with Kossy he looked a world beater.
Anyway the point I am making is that how come he was so amazing last season even when he wasn't playing regularly and how come he has become so awful this season?
posted on 15/3/12
Djourou is obviously a quality player, he proved that last season. But he really needs to cut out the stupid little mistakes, the mistakes he makes are not down to his lack of quality, they're down to him losing his concentration.
OP, I like how you've compared him to Evans. They're similar players and they've both gone through difficult periods for their clubs, they're both good on the ball and great in the air.
I would keep Djourou, not many teams have a better fourth choice centre back than him.
posted on 15/3/12
Did he prove he is quality last season? In all his time with Arsenal he only ever looked a good player last season. At the moment, when I watch Djourou I have the same faith in him that I have with Squillaci. I hope he turns things around but I don't see it.
posted on 15/3/12
I don't get all this worry about Johan, he's a decent player and will become a regular when Vermaelen/Koscielny start to get on a bit.
He was quality last season and has been played out of position this season. The few times he has played in position he has not had Sagna (due to injury) alongside him but an inexperienced fullback, communication and experience are key in defence, if you combine that with some pace with the fullbacks you are looking at a good defence.
Even Vermaelen who is more capable of playing left-back than Djourou is right has looked shaky when he's been forced to fill-in there.
Have some faith in the lad he is good and showed this as one of our best CB's last season.
posted on 15/3/12
"Did he prove he is quality last season? In all his time with Arsenal he only ever looked a good player last season. At the moment, when I watch Djourou I have the same faith in him that I have with Squillaci. I hope he turns things around but I don't see it."
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Last season is the only season he's had a proper run in our team. He's always been a squad player for us.
posted on 17/3/12
That's the problem he has to accept being a squad player and actually perform the whole 'needs a proper run in the team' is inexcusable for a team with Championship ambitions (I hope we are). Like the Alex and O'Shea examples I used he needs to be relied on when coming in rather than leaving me worried that we may surrender a 3 goal lead when he comes on!
posted on 17/3/12
But a lot of the time he comes in, he isn't the only one playing badly. The unit as a whole struggles, which makes it hard for someone to come in. Not to mention he plays out of position a lot of the time, and the rest of the back 4 isn't first choice.
It is different coming in alongside Ferdinand or Vidic, who have great experience.
posted on 17/3/12
All I can remember right now is that we might still be playing in the Champions league right now if he didn't concede that needless penalty in Milan.