The Swiss FA have given Arsene Wenger and Fantasy Managers new hope after announcing that Johan Djourou could return from injury within two weeks. After previously being ruled out for the season with a dislocated shoulder, suffered in the FA Cup loss to Manchester United, the defender who has been key to Arsenal may make a shock return.
The Swiss FA are hopeful that the defender may be fit for their Euro 2012 qualifier against Bulgaria on March 26. Their statement reads:
“The shoulder injury to Johan Djourou is less serious than feared on Saturday and announced by the coach of his club. The Arsenal defender and member of the Switzerland national team was submitted to thorough medical examinations on Monday. At the end of a long exhausting day, Johan Djourou had new hope that…. his season is not over yet.”
It is reported that Djourou has not suffered any fractures or bone injuries and the ligaments strained during the dislocation of the shoulder do not seem to be seriously damaged. The central defender will await the detailed assessments of a medical examination he underwent on Monday. If Djourou does return, he could be back for the Gameweek 31 fixture on 2 April against Blackburn.
Arsenal have kept 7 clean sheets in their last 9 Premier League fixtures that Djourou has played in. So far this season, in the games in which Djourou has featured, the Gunners have won 13 out of 16 and drawn the other 3. Valued at just 4.4 on the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) game, Djourou has been a bargain buy for many Fantasy Managers. With stats like these, a possible return will be a huge boost for Arsenal Football Club and his FPL owners.
In the meantime, Laurent Koscielny will be partnered by the Sébastien Squillaci who has been less than impressive in his time at the Emirates. The Gunners are also linked with a short-term move for veteran former goalkeeper Jens Lehmann, who will be back-up to Manuel Almunia with Lukasz Fabiański and Wojciech Szczęsny ruled out with long-term injuries.
It is expected that Arsenal will make an official comment on the players condition in the next few days and the player may reveal more through his Twitter account.
