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Page last updated at 18:32 GMT, Tuesday, 22 March 2011

Arsenal upbeat after good news on Johan Djourou injury

Johan Djourou
Djourou may play again the title run-in

Arsenal's Johan Djourou could yet play again this season after an exploratory operation on his dislocated shoulder.

The Gunners originally said the Switzerland international defender would miss the rest of the campaign.

But on Tuesday, the club said in a statement: "We can confirm the positive news that there isn't a need for reconstructive surgery.

"Johan will now begin a period of rehabilitation before returning to training in around a month."

Djourou, 24, hurt his right shoulder in a collision with team-mate Bacary Sagna during the FA Cup tie against Manchester United on 12 March.

Last week, the Swiss Football Association told BBC Sport that Djourou's injury was not as bad as first feared and that the player was confident of returning to action this month.

But Arsenal said that was "inaccurate" and reiterated their fear that he would be sidelined for the rest of the season.

However, he could now feature during the final month of their run-in as they attempt to overhaul leaders Manchester United in the race for the Premier League title.

Second-placed Arsenal are currently five points behind United but have nine games remaining - one more than Sir Alex Ferguson's team.

The two sides meet on Sunday, 1 May, at the Emirates Stadium.



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see also
Djourou out for season - Arsenal
15 Mar 11 |  Arsenal
Manchester United 2-0 Arsenal
12 Mar 11 |  FA Cup
Djourou calms knee injury fears
08 Feb 11 |  Arsenal
Arsenal rocked by Djourou knee op
06 Sep 09 |  Arsenal
Arsenal's Djourou signs new deal
01 Nov 06 |  Arsenal
Djourou completes Birmingham move
10 Aug 07 |  Birmingham


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