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.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger was questioned about what characteristics he was looking for in a possible new signing and revealed that he puts quality above experience when searching for a new star.

Wenger has been overly critcised by certain segments of Arsenal fans after selling experienced players and buying un-proven youngsters in the summer transfer window.

Despite that, the 52-year-old Frenchman believes quality is certainly more important than experience when it comes to looking for a new player.

“We need someone that can integrate the spirit and technical level of the team as well as the ambition of the team. He also has to have an immense desire to join Arsenal Football Club as well. Experience can help, but first is quality, then experience. But most importantly – quality.” said Wenger speaking to Arsenal TV Online.

Udinese midfielder Gökhan Inler has been heavily linked with a move to north London and could prove to be the “quality” that Wenger is talking about. Inler, 25, starred for Switzerland during their Euro2008 slump and his ‘hardman’ reputation might just persuade Wenger to make the signing which all fans are waiting for.