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Johan Djourou says the arrival of fellow centre-back Thomas Vermaelen will not force him to quit Arsenal.
Competition for places in the Gunners backline will be intense next season with manager Arsene Wenger considering signing another defender even after the £10million acquisition of Belgian Vermaelen last month gave him six recognised centre-halves.
Djourou started 13 Premier League games last season as an injury to William Gallas gave him some opportunities but he is unfazed by a more intense battle for starting place this season.
The 22-year-old, who is expected to play in the friendly at Barnet tomorrow, said: "I like tough competition. I'm a competitor and I want to win, so it's good to have another player in.
"It's true there are a lot of defenders now. The best will play, so you have to be competitive. It's no different to what I'm used to. I've been here five years so I know what it takes to get into the side. I am ready to come into this Arsenal team when called upon."
Although Emmanuel Adebayor's departure to Manchester City is imminent, a host of players including Robin van Persie, Theo Walcott and Jack Wilshere signed new contracts this summer and Djourou added: "With Eduardo and Tomas Rosicky coming back, too, we should be stronger than last year.
"There's a good feeling around the squad, we are all here to win and now it's up to us."
Adebayor is finally ready to complete his £25m move after conceding defeat in his attempts to become the highest-paid player in the Premier League.
The striker has stalled over personal terms as his advisers held out for a four- year deal worth £170,000 a week but the 25-year-old is understood to be ready to accept a contract worth around £20,000 a week less.
City manager Mark Hughes confirmed talks remain ongoing today as the club's football administrator Brian Marwood bids to finalise the deal.
"We are still in discussions over Adebayor and the talks will continue," Hughes said. "We have got attacking-minded players but we are looking to bring other players to the club before the transfer window closes."
Wenger remains keen on Marouane Chamakh, of Bordeaux, although the French club are insistent that defender Mikael Silvestre moves the other way as part of any deal. The £7m-rated striker has dropped the clearest hint yet over his desire to join the Gunners, saying: "Arsenal would be perfect for me because it is a big club and I know some of the players in the squad."
One youngster who seems certain to join the club is FK Bubamara striker Veljko Batrovic, who will arrive in London next week ahead of a week-long trial with the Gunners.
AC Milan and Real Madrid have shown interest in Batrovic, a highly-rated 15-year-old striker whose style has been likened to Barcelona's Lionel Messi.
But Wenger and chief scout Steve Rowley travelled to Montenegro in March to personally scout Batrovic to put Arsenal in pole position to sign the talented teenager.
Meanwhile, striker Carlos Vela may miss the start of the season after suffering a reoccurrence of an ankle problem while on international duty with Mexico during the summer.
* This is an extract from the full-length Johan Djourou interview, which features in the August issue of the Official Arsenal Magazine, available now from club shops. To subscribe, call the hotline on 0845 88 00 445.
Reader views (12)
i truely wonder some times what game some of u watch Djourou is a shocker he,s here 4 1 reason we have no cash same as Eboue Diaby & Denilson Fredie must cringe when ever he sees Eboue in his old possition
- Damian, Syd.
Johan Djourou is a promising young defender who should have started his trade in mid field to give him more ball control practice. Henry may come back as a defender (a proven thing back in the old days in Sierra Leone) where strikers finish their footballing lives as central defenders, or holding midfielders. We would be very fortunate to get Ghokan Inler and Haageland. I hope we also get Chamakh, to make a £7 million pound striker into a £40 million pound one.
- Sorie Kamara, London, UK
Rob the 'Gonner'
Still squabbling about your declining team?
Make hay while the sun shines, last season for you in the top 4, like I thought, your mercenary players are jumping ship.
By the way, still at home with Mum? I suppose you have been train spotting during the close season in your anorak.
- Terry, London
touchy touchy from rob the goooner,if centre backs mature when they reach their mid to late 20`s,then what the hell has happened to the dummy spitter and kolo,gone backwards MATE..AS FOR MY KNOWLEDGE I PLAYED TOO A HIGH LEVEL AND HAD TRIALS AT 4 CLUBS..DONT QUESTION MY KNOWLEDGE..FEW WEEKSAGO YOU WERE SLAGGINGTHE AMAZING WENGER BIG TIME...FACT
- Phil, herts
Djourou clearly has potentials and should be given more playing time next session. With Adebayor's imminent exit and Chamakh coming, all we need is a defensive Midfielder who will partner with Song (and in the absence of Song Diaby). Wenger should consider Toure for that role if he can not get value from the transfer market. Febragas or Arshavin should support the stricker moving forward.
- Kanayo, Lagos, Nigeria
Phil - anyone who knows anything about football knows that centre-backs rarely mature until their mid to late twenties, as stated by Arsene Wenger! Dont forget Djourou has two internationals in Gallas & Toure ahead of him, is himself a Swiss international & plays for one of the top clubs in Europe. As for my job, its a foolish comment, as you have no idea what it is. With regard to the values of the players, I didnt state these were my values, they are merely guestimates based upon media quotes. A little word of sensible advice, rather than criticize me, it would be far better to put forward your own ideas, of cousre that is if you have any?
- Rob Gooner, North London
Djourou need not worry about competing for a place as the best he can hope for each week is a spot on the bench. The reason Arsenal failed to win anything last year -again- was their awful defending so obviously Wenger has to change that. Unfortunately he has bought an unknown and we must wait and see how good is he. Wenger must however splash the cash to replace Adepaymeevenmore. Second raters like Chamakh are no good, we need a thirty a year man who can immediately make an impact. It will cost but so what they keep telling us they dont need Usmanov or his money. The proof is in the pudding.
- Spider, essex uk
rob gooner knows the value of every footballer doesnt he?? your in the wrong job..if djourou was good enough he be playing more regular.
- Phil, herts
i think it is a high time now mgr arsene wenger to look for top class striker to complement the ones he has, now that Ade is going to man city. As for chamerk, wenger should go for him since he indicate interest to play at emirate considering the fact that he is good & hungry striker. In wenger i trust. Gunners for life.
- Usman Zakari, lagos nigeria
Djourou is not good enough, he gets caught out of position to often and lacks aggression.
- Nick, reading
Hopefully, Djourou will fullfill his early promise. With the newly acquired Vermaelen & renewed talk of Hageland possibly being signed from Fulham, it appears that Arsene Wenger is strengthening our defence for the new season. He has intimated, by refusing to let Sylvestre go in part exchange to Bordeaux that he will one of our four main centre-backs, plus emergency cover at left-back. With this quartet in place we can then sell Toure (£14million to Man City), Gallas (£5 million) & Senderos (possible part exchange to Fulham £6 million, to recoup substantial sums. Remember we also have Song who can play at centre-back, so lots of cover despite disposing of 3 defenders.
- Rob Gooner, North London
Any problem for Wenger to let Bordeaux to have Silvestre if Wenger rates highly of Chamakh. Is not that Silvestre was the best defender last season.
- Denhen, singapore
