Djourou keen to get nasty

Swiss stopper looking to get aggressive

Last updated: 31st December 2008

Djourou keen to get nasty

Djourou wants to be more aggressive

If you play against someone who is soft, they [striker] are going to have fun - you have to show you are nasty, that you are going to win games.

Djourou
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Arsenal's Johan Djourou believes he needs to get nasty in order to become a better defender.

The versatile Switzerland international has found himself a regular in Arsene Wenger's side this term but feels something is still missing from his game.

The 21-year-old is learning and developing all the time, but believes he needs to be a little more aggressive if he is to get in the faces of opposing strikers.

"You have to be nasty, not in the way of breaking legs, but in being aggressive on the pitch because that is what makes strikers scared," he told the club's official website.

"If you play against someone who is soft, they [striker] are going to have fun - you have to show you are nasty, that you are going to win games."

A good year

Djourou spent the first half of last season on loan at Birmingham and the Ivory Coast-born stopper believes it has been a good 2008 for him after making a string of first-team appearances of late.

"It has been a good year for me," he added. "I came back from on loan injured, but I put my head down and kept working hard because I wanted to be at my best, and that is what I am showing at the moment.

"Going out on loan helped me because I came back ready to show that I am good and ready for it. That helped me a lot. Watching and learning from guys like William and Kolo did too.

"I have shown the boss he can count on me and I am going to show him that he can count on me all the way."