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ARSENAL: Euro 2008 Week: 'We rate Senderos highly'

/noticias.info/ Philippe Senderos, Johan Djourou (Switzerland)
Euro 2008 - Group A

Arsenal.com is turning its attention to Euro 2008. Seven of Arsène Wenger’s squad are in Austria and Switzerland and we asked a reporter from each country to assess the fortunes of each representative.

Here’s Stephan Ramming of Swiss newspaper NZZ-Neue Zuercher Zeitung on Arsenal duo Philippe Senderos and Johan Djourou.

What is the perception of Senderos and Djourou in Switzerland?
"Senderos' reputation is very high in Switzerland because it is clear he will play. It's not clear who will play alongside him - it could be Patrick Muller from Lyon. After his goal against South Korea in the World Cup, Senderos' standing is very high. Also he did very well at Arsenal too. Djourou is more of a squad player. I don't think he will play in the starting line-up, that seems to be quite clear. He is a fringe player. He is versatile but I don't think he will play on the right. He will play centrally if he gets a chance."

How have they fared in Switzerland's friendlies?
"Senderos had a bad performance against Germany, he didn't do very well. The problem was that he didn't have anyone experienced alongside him. But now with Muller coming back into the squad after one year, he has the same man alongside him that he had in the 2006 World Cup."

Have the Arsenal duo developed since the World Cup?
"I don't know, I think the Quarter-Finals are possible. It will be very important what happens in the first game against the Czech Republic and Petr Cech. If they do well in that game I think it might be possible they reach the Quarter-Finals but if they lose or even draw it will be very difficult for them."

The back four didn't concede a goal at the 2006 World Cup. Are they the key to Switzerland's campaign?
"The defence will be very important. Not so much against the Czech Republic but certainly against Turkey and Portugal - with Cristiano Ronaldo - it will be very important to be solid at the back. I think the defence is not so strong as two years ago but it is only three games and in three games many things are possible. The defence could reach the same level they reached in the 2006 World Cup." notas_de_prensa_archivo