Djourou's superb performances for Arsenal this season, alongside fellow Swiss Philippe Senderos in the centre of defence, were recently rewarded by his first call-up to the senior Swiss squad, where he is expected to establish himself alongside Big Phil.

But until he accepted that call-up, he was eligible to play for the Ivory Coast, say the BBC. Actually, they make no suggestion that either he or the Ivorians were ever actually considering such a move (but see quotes below). But it seemed worth passing comment simply because of the curious idea that Arsenal could have ended up with 3 out of the back 4 playing for the same African country (still possible I suppose, depending on Gael Clichy's ancestry).

And of course it's terrific news for Arsenal, because it's another player we won't have to lose to the African bloody Cup of Nations.

Revealing quotes from the lad himself, "When [Swiss coach Kobi] Kuhn rang me, I was so excited. I did not expect to play in the first team. I want to show my qualities against Scotland as best as possible." Switzerland play the Scots at Hampden Park tomorrow night.

Rupe adds...
Our Switzerland correspondent Colin writes once again, with quotes from Emile Perrin's article in today's La Liberté (a Swiss paper). Italics are Johan's words.

"As a junior playing for Etoile Carouge in Geneva, it was Flavio Ferraria, administrator of FC La Chaux-de-Fonds who first recommended Djourou to Arsenal: 'I don’t know him very well, but we met a few times and he played an important role in my transfer'."

"Speaking about how he was scouted by Arsenal during an U17 game for Switzerland against Ireland, when Liam Brady was sent to watch him: 'I was only just 15 years old when Arsenal approached me. Everything was decided at that match'."

On his footballing qualities: 'I'm adaptable. I'm as much at home in the centre of defence as I am in the middle of the park. I think I'm happy to have the ball and I have a good vision of the game'."

"About his call-up to the full national side for the game against Scotland: 'It's all the more beautiful because it's come earlier than expected'."

"The Scotland game: 'If selected I'll have to show the coach that I'm there during the match, and especially during the training sessions. My integration into the group is very important, but it's on the pitch that I'll do my talking. The physical side of the British game doesn't give me a problem – I'm used to it'."

"On Philippe Senderos: 'When I knew I had been called up by Köbi Kuhn I didn't tell Philippe. I just asked him who Switzerland's next match was against. But he must have known and the smile on my face must have given me away'."

"On the World Cup: 'I've mostly thought about the World Cup as a supporter. This call-up is already like a cherry on the cake. There is no doubt I'm going to give it my all, but the final decision isn't mine to make'."

"About choosing Switzerland ahead of the Ivory Coast (He has both nationalities): 'I arrived (in Switzerland) when I was 17 months old. I feel 100% Swiss and there has never been a doubt that I would play for any other country'" [this presumably is where the BBC got their idea from]

Rupe adds...
Apologies to anyone offended by my use of the word 'bloody' above. I meant no disrespect to that tournament, but was only expressing my (and most Arsenal fans') frustration at regularly losing key fit players for a long period at a crucial time in the season, and our worries about signing more African players (or the idea of currently non-African players 'defecting').