Djourou scored in Arsenal's 4-4 draw with Newcastle on Saturday

By David Ornstein

Defender Johan Djourou hopes to be fit for Arsenal's home match against Wolves this Saturday, calming fears over the extent of his knee injury.

Swiss centre-half Djourou, who missed nine months of last season with a knee problem, hobbled off at Newcastle last Saturday after hurting his knee.

But the Switzerland Football Association has confirmed the 24-year-old is only suffering from bruising.

It is a boost for Arsenal, with Thomas Vermaelen weeks away from returning.

Had Djourou been sidelined, Arsenal would have been left with Lauren Koscielny and Sebastien Squillaci as their only fit central defenders, with the Gunners playing Barcelona at the Emirates on 16 February in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie.

It was Squillaci who replaced Djourou early in the second half of Arsenal's 4-4 draw at Newcastle.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version