Johan Djourou relishes return to centre-half for Arsenal

Johan Djourou has said that he is delighted to be back in his natural position in the middle of Arsenal's defence.

Djourou, deployed as a temporary right-back in the absence of Bacary Sagna, returned to centre-half during the club's loss to Milan after Laurent Koscielny suffered an injury.

"I am happy to be back in my position," he told the club's official website.

"This season has been a bit harder for me. I have had to play out of position. I have tried to do my job, but I am not a [natural] right-back.

"People forget and think that if you play in a position, 'Johan Djourou is a right-back', but I am not."

Djourou is expected to start alongside Thomas Vermaelen when Arsene Wenger's men emerge at the Stadium of Light this afternoon.