Gooner Talk

Johan Djourou has signed a new, long-term contract with Arsenal which will reportedly see him stay at the club until 2012.

The 21-year-old Switzerland international centre-back joined the Gunners from Etoile Carouge in 2003.

Born in the Ivory Coast but raised in Geneva, Djourou has made four appearances this season most recently coming off the bench to replace injured Gael Clichy in the win over Bolton on Saturday which sent the Gunners top of the Premier League.

He is set to come in for Kolo Toure tomorrow evening and claim a place in the Arsenal XI against Sheffield United – a match where Johan will be the most experienced defender on the pitch.

Djourou has made 51 appearances for the Gunners, including 3 in the 2006/07 season.

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AC Milan new-boy Philippe Senderos has labelled his move to the Italian giants as a ‘dream come true’, after penning a twelve-month loan deal with Carlo Anceletti’s side.

The 23-year-old stopper was a surprise swoop for the Rossoneri as they looked to strengthen their back line for a Scudetto push.

After the arrival of Mikael Silvestre at the Emirates Stadium, Arsene Wenger decided to allow Senderos to spend the campaign at San Siro and he couldn’t be happier.

“I am really happy to play in a team like Milan,” Senderos told the club’s official website. “For me, this is a dream come true. Everything has happened really fast, in a week. Everything here is incredible. The people are very easy going and they have made me feel like I’m at home.

“In the past I have achieved some success. To have become European Champion with the Under-17 national team and of course, at the age of 18 to have arrived to a big club as Arsenal. In London I have learned a lot. It has been a life school and (manager Arsene) Wenger has helped me.

“Today I can say I have reached a superior level by coming to this club. I want to give 100 per cent and improve every day. This team wants to return to the Champions League and I will do everything I can to help.”

Senderos will have to wait for his Milan debut as he is currently suffering from a back injury.

Gooner Talk would like to wish Big Phil a successful spell with AC Milan, and hope to see him impressing for the Italian stars in the near future.

Arsenal midfield maestro Cesc Fabregas is set to return from a hamstring injury as the Gunners’ play the return leg of their UEFA Champions League qualifier against FC Twente at Emirates Stadium tomorrow evening.

Switzerland international Phillipe Senderos won’t play though. The 23-year-old was today undergoing a medical with Serie A giants AC Milan.

New signing recruited from Manchester United, Mikael Silvestre, will not play due to a thigh muscle strain which will keep him out the side until mid-September.

Abou Diaby (thigh), Amaury Bischoff (groin), Tomas Rosicky (hamstring) and striker Eduardo (leg) remain in recovery.

Predicted Starting XI

Almunia
Sagna – Toure – Gallas – Clichy
Walcott – Fabregas – Denilson – Nasri
Adebayor – Van Persie

The match kick’s off at 8.05pm tomorrow evening and is live on BBC3 and you can catch all the game build-up here on Gooner Talk with a match preview later this evening and a match report immediately after full-time tomorrow night.

Reports in Italy today suggest that Arsenal defender Philippe Senderos is close to securing a season-long loan move to Italian giants AC Milan.

The loan, which will see Swiss international Senderos reunite with ex-Gunners’ team-mate Mathieu Flamini, has an option to make the switch permanent which could come into place if the 23-year-old impresses during his spell with the Rossoneri.

Milan have been chasing several Arsenal players since the signing of Mathieu Flamini. Emmanuel Adebayor was strongly linked to a move to the San Siro over the summer, but he finally signed a new Arsenal deal in August.

Arsenal are yet to confirm a deal is done with Senderos, while another Swiss defender, Johan Djourou is still rumoured to be on French side Rennes’ shopping list. Djourou’s departure seems unlikely though, as Arsene Wenger has already let up and coming defender Havard Nordtveit go out on loan.

Last season, Senderos was blamed for some slacking marking that allowed Liverpool to beat the Gunners in the Champions League. Criticised in the press, the Swiss defender took time to recover, although was able to play an important part in Switzerland’s unsuccessful Euro 2008 campaign.

Gooner Talk would like to wish Big Phil a successful spell with AC Milan, and hope to see him impressing for the Italian stars in the near future.

Arsenal skipper William Gallas has been appointed France vice-captain by Les Bleus boss Raymond Domenech ahead of this evening’s game against Sweden.

Former Gunners’ striker Thierry Henry has been made captain in a bid to lift the team after their flop at Euro 2008.

France were criticised for an unadventurous style of play and a reclusive lifestyle during Euro 2008, where they took only one point from three games, scoring one goal.

Henry has already worn the armband for France in previous matches, notably during the summers Championships when Patrick Vieira was out through injury.

“It is a great responsibility. I have a duty. There is a new generation but we always need someone to lead the way. I have a lot of experience at the highest level. I know this new generation very well, I have always felt young in my mind,” he said.

“It is a challenge. It does not scare me.” As for the task in hand after France’s failure at Euro 2008, the ex-Gunners legend enthused: “It will not be easy but it is our job to win back everyone’s hearts.”

Gooner Talk will give you updates of all the players on International duty this evening with the likes of Gael Clichy, Bacary Sagna, Philippe Senderos and Johan Djourou in action for their respective countries.

Below are the Arsenal players involved in tonights friendlies and what teams they are playing for and against:

England: Theo Walcott – England v Czech Republic
Denmark: Nicklas Bendtner – Denmark v Spain
Switzerland: Johan Djourou – Switzerland v Cyprus
Netherlands: Robin van Persie – Russia v Netherlands