Johan Djourou is confident
Arsenal's young guns can make a leap in quality and fight on all
fronts next season.
Arsene Wenger has now presided over two trophyless seasons in
succession as he looks to build a new team in North London, and a
club that became accustomed to regular silverware in his first
eight years in charge are now suffering something of a
drought.
Summer signing William Gallas has put the club's recent failings
down to an over-reliance on their young players, but Djourou - who
at the age of 20 made 21 Premiership appearances this season -
believes the less experienced stars at Emirates Stadium are ready
to signal their growing maturity next term.
"We have guys like Cesc [Fabregas], Denilson and Justin Hoyte, who
have all shown when they have played that they are ready for it,"
said Djourou.
"Next season is going to be a really good season because we have
the quality for it.
"We have had a couple of injuries, with Thierry (Henry) and William
Gallas, which was a bit of a blow for us - but now if everyone is
back, we will have a chance for everything.
"It is also up to the others to show what they can do to replace
those players, and I think we can take that step for next season
and try to do it."
Djourou impressed in the first half of the season when injury
robbed The Gunners of a number of defenders, and the Swiss
international admits he was pleased with his input this term.
"I am very proud of my season. I am only 20 and I have played a lot
of games in the Premiership," he said.
"That is all good for my experience and I hope I can keep going
now, to play even more."
