Johan Djourou could be back in contention for Arsenal within seven days according to a statement from the Swiss FA.
The Arsenal centre-back, who scored his first goal for the Gunners in Saturday’s 4-4 draw with Newcastle, is out of Switzerland’s friendly with Malta on Wednesday after sustaining a knee injury at St James’ Park. The Swiss FA have been quick to publish details of the injury, prior to an official comment from Arsenal.
The statement reveals that Djourou has suffered only severe bruising of the knee in Saturday’s game. Arsenal have apparently been waiting for swelling around the knee to reduce before conducting a full examination. We should expect confirmation from the club of this verdict very soon.
The news will come as major relief for owners of Djourou, a player who has earned significant Fantasy attention of late and has enjoyed consecutive price rises in the Fantasy Premier League game. However, Djourou would still seem unlikely to figure in the weekend clash with Wolves, the first fixture in Arsenal’s double Gameweek. Sebastian Squillaci would seem set to partner Laurent Koscielny against Mick McCarthy’s side, with Arsene Wenger likely to keep Djourou preserved for the Champions League first leg tie with Barcelona on Wednesday week.
Djourou could nonetheless figure in Arsenal’s second fixture of Gameweek 27, the home clash with Stoke on February 22. His Fantasy owners must therefore decide whether to start Djourou in their Gameweek lineup or potentially transfer him out ahead of Arsenal’s blank in Gameweek 28.
With Thomas Vermaelen set to be sidelined for at least another three-to-four weeks, Djourou’s tenancy in the Arsenal starting lineup should be prolonged and he would seem set to offer continued value over the coming Gameweeks.
