Philippe Senderos made his long-awaited full Premiership debut for the champions Arsenal at Highbury last night. The young Swiss central defender has had an injury-hit start to his career in England but this season has been showing the form that saw him captain the Swiss u-17 team to the European Championship title and a subsequent hotly-contested battle among Europe’s biggest clubs for his signature.

Philippe has been part of the Arsenal first team squad throughout the season, playing in all 3 of the Club’s Carling Cup matches and also featuring in the Champions League matchday squads. He finally got his Premiership opportunity in the away victory at Charlton last weekend when an injury to Sol Campbell led to a second-half substitute appearance. Philippe retained his position alongside Kolo Toure in central defence for the visit of Manchester City and impressed in a closely-fought game which finished in a 1-1 draw.

Everyone at CSS Stellar would like to wish Philippe the best of luck for the rest of the season and hope that last night’s match is the first of a very long and successful career. -6th January 2005