August

Johan did not feature in August.

September

Johan made one appearance in September, appearing in Arsenal's 6-1 win over Coventry City in the Capital One Cup.

October

Johan played once in October - captaining the team in the remarkable Capital One Cup game against Reading at the Madejski.

November

Johan did not feature in November.

December

Johan was named on the bench for the win over Newcastle United but did not feature in December.

January

Johan was loaned to German side Hannover 96, where he made two appearances over the course of the month. His debut came in an epic game against Schalke, that the Niedersachsen side lost 5-4.

March

Johan featured regularly for Hannover 96 in March, helping them to victory against Augsburg in the Bundesliga.

August

Johan arrived as a second-half substitute in Arsenal's opening two matches against Newcastle and Udinese respectively, before a hamstring injury forced him off against the Italians. The Swiss international returned in the second leg to help the Gunners progress, before starting once more against Manchester United at Old Trafford.

September

Johan featured in just two matches over the month after a muscular injury limited his appearances. He came on as a late substitute against Blackburn before captaining the side for the first time in the Carling Cup victory over Shrewsbury.

October

Johan demonstrated his versatility throughout the month, switching to right-back for the victories against Marseille, Stoke and Chelsea.

November

Johan showed his versatility, playing at right-back in fixtures against Fulham and Manchester City. The Swiss defender impressed in both games.

December

Johan demonstrated his versatility once more in December, featuring regularly at right back in the Premier League. He also played in Greece in the team's Champions League defeat at the hands of Olympiacos.

January

Johan was in and out of the team with a mild groin problem, as well as serving a one-match suspension for his red card at Fulham. The Swiss international featured in every one of the team's three Premier League fixtures.

March

Johan made two appearances, filling in as a late replacement for Laurent Koscielny in the starting line-up against Aston Villa after a brief substitute appearance in the 1-0 win over Everton.

April

Johan started against Wolves - helping the Gunners to keep a clean sheet - and against Wigan in April.

May

Johan did not feature.

August

Johan missed the opening game of the season away at Liverpool due to a hamstring injury. Though he returned to the bench for the visit of Blackpool, he didn’t feature for the Gunners in August. Speaking before the season started, Johan told Arsenal.com how he is optimistic ahead of the new season. “I had a hard season last time and now I feel good, I feel fresh so I am ready to go. I need a few more games but I feel good.”

September

Johan made two appearances towards the end of the month as he continued his journey back from injury. The Swiss international played for the Reserves against Blackburn at the beginning of the month before returning to first-team action for games against Tottenham in the Carling Cup and Partizan Belgrade in the Champions League. Johan stated his frustration at his injuries since moving to the Club. “It’s frustrating because you want to play when you’re still young. “When you’re 20 or 21 you want to play as much as possible - now I’m 23 and that hasn’t changed. I still want to play and the thing is now I have to stay fit to be able to do that.

October

Johan enjoyed an extended run in the first team as he made four consecutive starts and put his injury problems well and truly behind him during October. The Swiss defender showed what he is capable of against a threatening Manchester City attack at Eastlands in the first of his quartet of starts. He partnered Sebastien Squillaci against Birmingham, Shakhtar Donetsk and City before he and Laurent Koscielny helped the Gunners to a clean sheet against Newcastle in the Carling Cup.

November

Johan continued to play an important role in the Arsenal defence as he made four starts during the month of November. Laurent Koscielny’s two-game suspension gave him a run of games and he didn’t disappoint with solid performances in away wins over Wolves and Everton. He was arguably Arsenal’s best player in the latter as the home side were limited to very little in the way of scoring opportunities.

December

Johan only made just one start during December, but proved to be one of the star performers during the win against Chelsea as he turned in an excellent defensive display. The Swiss international succeeded where others had previously failed in nullifying the threat of Didier Drogba. Arsene Wenger said he would not risk Johan’s fitness during the busy festive period due to his injury-ravaged past and the defender didn’t feature again in 2010.

January

Johan played an incredible 720 minutes of football in January. He completed eight of Arsenal's nine games and was instrumental in helping Arsene Wenger’s side to an impressive five clean sheets. The Swiss defender was one of just two fit central defenders and formed a great partnership with Laurent Koscielny.

March

It was initially feared Johan’s season was over after he dislocated his shoulder against Manchester United on March 12. But, after undergoing exploratory surgery, the Club confirmed the positive news that there was no need for reconstructive surgery meaning he would only miss a minimum of a month.

April

Johan returned from the shoulder injury he suffered at Manchester United to start the final three games of April.

May

Johan limped off with an ankle injury against Manchester United but returned the following week for a defeat at Stoke. The problem kept the central defender out of the final home game of the season against Aston Villa but he partnered Thomas Vermaelen at Fulham.

September

Johan didn't play for Arsenal in September. He was ruled out for six to eight months after having surgery on a knee injury. Arsene Wenger said "He had big surgery, and it is a blow for him and the Club. He will have to be patient this season."

August

Johan missed the start of the season with a knee injury. The Ivorian defender said now is the time for him to make the step up to a regular first team slot. “I am still young, I have a couple of things I need to work on still and I still want to learn, but I want to step up now. It’s my time,” he said.

October

Johan continued his rehabilitation after having surgery on his knee earlier in the season.

November

Manager Arsene Wenger said Johan's surgery on a knee injury suffered while on international duty in August means this will be a frustrating season for the defender. "He had big surgery," said the manager. "It is a big blow for him and the Club. He will have to be patient this season."

December

Johan remained sidelined in December after having knee surgery earlier in the season. The defender is yet to make a Gunners appearance this term.

January

Johan's knee injury kept him out of action throughout January. The defender suffered the injury while on international duty in August.

March

Johan continued to recover from a knee operation and appeared on Arsenal TV Online's 'Arsenal Live' programme in March. He joined the regular team on our weekend preview show and told viewers he is getting closer to a return. "I am nearly at the end. It has been a long road for me and I am really looking forward to being back on the field."

April

Johan spent the month continuing his recovery from a knee operation.

May

Johan made his long-awaited return from injury as a second-half substitute in the 4-0 win over Fulham in Arsenal's final game of the season. It was the first time he had played since sustaining a knee injury in August.

August

Because of Toure’s illness, Johan played a vital part in Arsenal’s excellent August. Every game that the Swiss centre-half played in, Arsenal won without conceding. Coincidence? Absolutely not. The 21 year-old struck up a solid partnership with captain William Gallas in both Twente games and the victory over West Brom.

September

September was a big month for Johan as the Swiss centre-half signed a new long-term contract at the club. The 21-year-old was involved in every squad picked in the month, playing the second half against Bolton and the full 90 minutes against Sheffield United in the Carling Cup. He found himself in unchartered territory against the Blades as one of the most senior players but he dealt with the task admirably and the Gunners romped to a 6-0 win.

October

Johan missed a fair chunk of the month after suffering concussion while away on international duty. The Swiss centre-half was selected among the substitutes for the trips to Sunderland and West Ham and his only taste of action in October came in Istanbul when he replaced Theo Walcott in the 84th minute.

November

Injury troubles in the Arsenal defence and a Carling Cup Fourth Round tie against Wigan ensured that November was a very busy month for Johan. The Swiss defender was an unused substitute in the month’s first fixture against Stoke but went on to play 90 minutes in five of the other seven games in November. Despite scoring an own goal, Johan’s highlight was his outstanding display in the centre of defence in Arsenal’s 2-1 victory at Stamford Bridge on the 30th.

December

Another rock-solid month for Johan who racked up four consecutive games at the heart of the Arsenal defence. After managing only a handful of appearances for the Gunners in the whole of 2007/08 the Swiss defender has swiftly made up for lost time this term. During December the 21-year-old described 2008 as his ‘now or never’ year.

January

Johan enjoyed five consecutive starts alongside either Kolo Toure or William Gallas in January and was instrumental in the clean sheets secured against Cardiff and Bolton. The Swiss defender finished the month on the bench in Arsenal’s home stalemate against West Ham oon Saturday 31st.

March

Johan played 90 minutes against West Brom, Burnley, Hull, and Blackburn and was included among the subs in the other two March fixtures. As ever, the Swiss defender looked classy at the heart of Arsenal’s defence alongside Kolo Toure or William Gallas. At the start of March, Johan spoke to the Official Matchday Programme about being ‘ready’. "I am trying to take my chance," he said. "I told myself at the start of the season that I have to work hard even if I’m not first choice because I’m still young, but I think I’ve shown to people that I’m ready for this.”

April

After featuring in the month’s first three fixtures, including a start against Wigan on April 11, Johan suffered a knee injury that would keep him out of the subsequent three fixtures. But the Swiss defender was back on the bench against Boro on April 26 and also included in the squad for the Champions League Semi-Final first leg against Man United three days later.

May

Johan played 90 minutes in the first two May fixtures but was back on the bench in the third. He was completely omitted from the squad which travelled to Old Trafford in the Premier League on Sunday, May 16 but returned to the substitutes bench for the final game of the season.

April

Now fully fit, Johan spent a lot of time in the first-team squad in April. The Swiss defender appeared on the bench twice, coming on for the final 12 minutes against Derby.

March

Johan spent February still recovering from a groin problem that has restricted him to just 45 minutes of football in 2008.