Djourou shrugs off 'dead rubber' defeat

Swiss defender Johan Djourou refused to be too downhearted after a youthful Arsenal FC side lost 2-0 at FC Porto on Matchday 6, saying: "We're disappointed with the result, but we're already through."

'Already through'
Arsenal lost for the first time in four meetings with Portuguese champions Porto, but the only consequence was that the English side finished second rather than first in the section, and will thus face a winner from another group in the knockout stage. "We're disappointed with the result, but we're already through," he reasoned. Djourou acknowledged that Arsenal had paid the price for failing to follow up their excellent start to the match. "We controlled the game well from the start, but we didn't do enough in the final third," he said. "When you play a team like Porto it's not enough to dominate without scoring."

Great experience
Djourou argued that, with the strength on show in the last 16, finishing first or second in the group stage was almost irrelevant. "I don't think it matters," he said. "When you get through to the last 16 they're all great teams, so I don't think there's anyone in particular we want to avoid." The 21-year-old, already an old head in Arsène Wenger's youthful squad, added that the experience would stand the likes of teenagers Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wilshere in great stead for the future. "You learn a lot in the Champions League, because it's a fantastic competition," said Djourou. "So for our younger players there's plenty to take on from this."