Arsenal Football Club News

• Nickname:Gunners
• Founded:1886
• Manager:Arsene Wenger

• Ground:Emirates
• Capacity:60,432

Gunners lose injured Djourou

14 Apr 2009 - 16:37:59

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Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has confirmed that Johan Djourou has joined a lengthy injury list ahead of Wednesday's Champions League clash with Villarreal.

Djourou was deputising for William Gallas at the heart of the defence when he suffered a knee injury during Saturday's 4-1 victory at Wigan Athletic.

Gallas had previously suffered season-ending knee ligament damage in the first leg of their quarter-final tie against the Spanish side, which ended 1-1 last week.

Full-back Gael Clichy and goalkeeper Manuel Almunia will also miss the second leg through injury.

However, the Gunners have been boosted by the return of midfielder Abou Diaby from a knee injury picked up while on international duty with France last month.

"Yes, both Djourou and Clichy are unfortunately out," confirmed Wenger.

"Djourou has a knee problem. He will have a scan today (Tuesday) but we fear a cartilage (problem).

"Clichy on what we saw after the game in Villarreal, he has a back problem.

"But Diaby is in the squad."

Meanwhile, Wenger believes his youthful squad is on the verge of turning potential into success.

"I believe the determination, the hunger and the quality is there and we face now test after test," he added.

"What makes me confident is that recently, in every single game, when the odds were against us we found the resources within the team with a strong response every single time.

"That happened at Villarreal, that happened again at Wigan and every time we came out strong.

"I believe we have turned the season in a very positive way and put ourselves in a great position to qualify and we want to take advantage of that.

"I believe the team has shown great mental strength through the whole season and we have another good opportunity to show those mental strengths."