Djourou set to show mean streak

Johan Djourou is ready to get “nasty” to cement his place in the Arsenal defence.

The departure of his fellow Switzerland international Philippe Senderos on loan to AC Milan gave Djourou a chance to impress this season, stepping in at centre-back following injuries to William Gallas and Kolo Toure.

The Gunners will be looking to force themselves back into the Barclays Premier League title race next year and 21-year-old Djourou is eager to secure himself a regular place in the first team.

He returned to the Emirates Stadium at the start of the year, fully focused after a loan spell with Birmingham.

“It has been a good year for me. I came back from on loan injured, but I put my head down and kept working hard because I wanted to be at my best, and that is what I am showing at the moment,” Djourou told Arsenal TV Online.

“Going out on loan helped me because I came back ready to show that I am good and ready for it. That helped me a lot. Watching and learning from guys like William and Kolo did too.

“I have shown the boss he can count on me and I am going to show him that he can count on me all the way.”

He turns 22 in January and appreciates how the best defenders earn respect from opponents.

Djourou added: “You have to be nasty, not in the way of breaking legs, but in being aggressive on the pitch because that is what makes strikers scared."

Djourou produced a composed display in the win at Chelsea during November, recovering after scoring an own goal to help steer the team to victory.

However, consistency at the back has been a problem for Arsenal, who are now back down to fifth place, behind Aston Villa and 10 points off the pace set by leaders Liverpool.

Manager Arsene Wenger has been working through all his options – which now include former Manchester United defender Mikael Silvestre who partnered Gallas in the 1-0 win over Portsmouth on Sunday.

While Wenger could utilise Djourou in a more advanced role, it is expected Arsenal will strengthen their midfield during the January transfer window to offset the loss of injured captain Cesc Fabregas.

Russian playmaker Andrei Arshavin continues to be linked with a £20m move away from Zenit St Petersburg, while Everton’s Spain international Mikel Arteta is another reported target.

Portsmouth defender Sylvain Distin, though, has dismissed speculation linking him with a transfer to Arsenal as “rubbish”.