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Arsenal are confident Johan Djourou will return in less than six months after undergoing knee surgery.
Doctors performed an operation on the Switzerland international in Geneva after he had to withdraw from a friendly against Italy with a complaint that was later diagnosed as requiring further treatment.
The Swiss Football Association suggested yesterday that Djourou could be ruled out until March but the Gunners believe the 22-year-old could return to action much sooner.
His absence promotes Philippe Senderos's chances of first-team football after being frozen out by manager Arsene Wenger.
Senderos, who spent last season on loan at AC Milan, was expected to leave during the transfer window but now finds himself alongside Mikael Silvestre as cover for first-choice central defensive pairing William Gallas and Thomas Vermaelen.
Reader views (6)
Rob gooner, i can assure you that no club would love to have sylvestre as cover. the guy is a walking liability! the sooner he leaves the club the better. Wenger made a howler by signing him, and just dont want to admit it. The guy is a waste of space and i hope never to see him in an arsenal shirt again!
- Mike, london
If it is the same people saying we love Wenger and then saying we want him out then yers that is fickle.
What you are doing though is reading 2 differing opinions from 2 different fans.
Wenger rarely puts a foot wrong tactically, sometimes yes he does but most of the time he's spot on, he has a scouting network to rival anybody else's in the world but he seems to lack ambition. He just gets by on blind faith in his players which is ok for their self esteem, but he doesn't seem to care that it is obvious to many he lacks ambition and never wants to spend big ever.
It's a shame as I think we couild do really well given a splash of some serious cash here or there. But as is we'll always be playing for runner up. Perhaps when the next manager comes in we'll see some trophies, but I just can't see it happening with the wafer thin squad that we have!
- Ad, Darlo Uk
Most clubs would love to have Senderos & Sylvestre as cover. Arsenal also have Song who can play at centre half. It will be good to have Fabregas & Rosicky back soon, with Nasri shortly afterwards.
- Rob Gooner, North London
One week we see the words (in Wenger we trust)the next we read this!Some very fickle gooners about.
- Jamie, essex
Pray that Vermaelen and Gallas stay fit. If Silvestre or Senderos come in and fluff the season up Wenger should be sacked for gross incompetence.
- James, London
wenger you were advised to buy another defender, but you wouldn't listen. this time no excuses. may be the money in the bank will bring you the title. penny wise, pound .....
- Simon Tumba, lagos, nigeria
