Arsenal defender looks to step it up

By Zain Alvi | 25th July 2010

Arsenal defender looks to step it up | read this item

Here’s some good news for Arsenal fans! In addition to securing the services of veteran defender Sol Campbell for another season, the Gunners have also received a pledge of improvement from Swiss international Johan Djourou.

While the 23-year old understands that the arrival of Frenchman Laurent Koscienly has already provided a much needed boost to Arsenal’s defense, he hopes that this is the year where he rises to prominence in North London.

“Now it is time to step up and start,” the Ivory Coast-born player told Arsenal.com.

Hoping to stay clear of injuries such as the one that sidelined him for a major part of last season, he added: “I will always say that but now I am mature enough. We will have to see with the injury because when you have it for so long it is difficult to come straight back into things.

“But I played 90 minutes against Strum Graz and it went well. I have to get other games under my belt and hopefully I will be ready.”

Gunners boss Arsène Wenger has urged his team to concede less than the 41 goals they allowed last season. Djourou believes that the benchmark is realistic to achieve, particularly for an Arsenal side that is craving glory after five years without silverware.

“I thought that we were looking quite solid. But it is true that 41 goals is too much when you are playing for the top places. I think sometimes we are missing a bit of aggression. It is not that we are not good enough, because the team is good enough.

“We have top players at the back, top players all over the pitch. It is just that we have to be stronger as a unit,” he concluded.

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