In many ways your right. Djourou has all the attributes to be great in the same way Philippe Senderos did. But just like Senderos Djourou's weaknesses are mental. He tends to switch off and drift out of position. He's also quiet easy to bully (despite his size) because he's one of the least aggressive defenders around. Im confident he wont be a TOP class centreback.
Hear Hear..... There is no point in scapegoating Djourou..... I thought he played well last season. Like Arshavin his confidence is really low, we do not notice Arshavin because he really cannot do any damage...... I just hope these guys can get their form back. Just unfortunate, that there is no place to hide for these guys, when they are suffering from a loss of form.....we just keep throwing them in!
Again, he wasn't blaming the attack. He actually said that if you miss chances you always leave yourself open to the danger of conceding. People take his comments out of context and suit them to fit their own agenda In this case, Djourou bashing. Personally, I think he needs to put in some really good performances to turn his confidence around and get the fans onside I don't mind admitting that seeing him in the line up currently, makes me nervous But this is not a reason to start scapegoating him and trying to claim he has said things that he hasn't
Djourou seems to have gone backwards for sure, I always saw him as a good defender who switched off too much. Last season I thought he had come of age .. it seems not. He has been in the first team squad since 2004 but he is always injured. We keep putting our faith in these players hoping they will come of age, how long do you wait before you draw the line and admit that .. the player isn't good enough ? Our players are far too inconsistent to be relied upon, one week they are good the next they are shocking.
I have to disagree, the fact that he even brought attention to the attack, one which scored 3 goals away from home is a clear attempt to deflect attention from the pathetic performance we delivered in defence. It was not all his fault of course but he was dire that day and has been for some time, it's not about scapegoating him or anyone else, people need to stop being so defensive when anyone dares criticise any of our players. These guys are hugely rewarded to play or do a job for us, same as you or I in our own jobs, we cannot pussyfoot around for another 6 years saying, give him time etc..he has talent... this guys is an experienced pro and if he cannot deliver a consistent level of competence and performance this year, I and many fans are not intersted in what he can bring to the table 5 years down the road. The guy has had more than enough chances. This year is make or break as far as I am concerned for many of the squad, it may well be that the coaching is not up to scratch from a defensive point of view and if things do go pear shaped for Wenger(hopefully not) then he may improve under someone elses tutition. But right now he is nowhere near good enough to be a first team regular.
he had some very good games last season, now this season its like his awareness has gone, always out of position and always loses his man, then just looks dumbstruck after they've scored
You have to ask yourself if you think Djourou is of the same level as the best centrebacks in the league. (Vidic,Ferdinand,Terry, Kompany,Toure,Vermaelen) If the answer is no then should he really be playing for us? Our standards have actually dropped when assessing Arsenal players. If you compare Djourou to our title winning defenders of the past it's easy to see he's not good enough for the very top level. (also age is not an argument Djourou is not that young) Like i said earlier he has the physical attributes to be top class but chances are he never will be.
MAte I've been saying this for a while. People seem to have dropped their standards when it comes to Arsenal players. People harping on about how good Song is for example make me laugh. He is basic, yet regarded by many as one of our best players .... what other top team could Song possibly get into ???
I think he's prob one of our better players, he's every bit IMHO as good as say Darren Fletcher, Obi wan Mikel or G Barry if your talking about the EPL... When playing his role he has alot of positive attributes, Id put his failings down more to problems as a collective unit generally.
Yeah - I'd say as good as Barry and Mikel - but I totally do not rate either of them even slightly anyway. Fletcher on the other hand I do rate. My brother who is a Man U fan never rated him until recently but for the past 5 years I've said he is a good player, he is the glue that links the defence to the strikers, he keeps the ball moving, gets tackles in and has a decent shot - a Denilson but better.
