The Arsenal defender Mathieu Debuchy has high hopes for the upcoming season. He thinks that the arrival of Petr Cech has galvanized the side and the Gunners can win the Premier League next season.
Cech joined Arsenal this summer after ending a long 11 year association with Chelsea. After losing his first team place to Thibaut Courtois, Cech wanted a team that can guarantee him more game time. And so when Arsenal came knocking with a £10 million transfer offer, Cech was happy to accept.
Debuchy believes that the 33-year-old arrival will help propel the club to better performances. He hopes that the squad is capable of competing for titles, now. The French international is back in training ahead of the pre-season trip to Singapore.
The former Newcastle United defender endured a difficult year last season. During an injury-hit campaign, he made just 15 appearances for the club in all competitions. The 29-year-old is hoping that the injury problems are behind him and he would have a better season this year.
In his absence, young Spanish defender Hector Bellerin showed great attitude and skills to fill up the position. In fact, Bellerin was touted by many to be the player of the season for Arsenal. Of course, for all of them, Bellerin was a surprise package and hence the assessment.
But, Debuchy hopes that competition for places will help improve his own game. If he can stay injury free, Arsene Wenger will have a sweet dilemma of choosing between Bellerin and Debuchy.
In this context, the pre-season is an important tour for the Frenchman. If he can show that he has recovered fully and is ready to step up for the new season, Wenger will be more than happy. Having a squad that has competition at all places is a good sign for any manager who wants to compete for many trophies.
“I’m so excited to go to Singapore and work hard with the team,” Debuchy told Arsenal Player. “I’ve never been before, it’s my first time.
“I need to have a good pre-season,” he added. “It was a hard year last year and I need to do some hard training to be fit for the first game.
“It’s also important for us to play Premier League teams like Stoke City and Everton because in one month we will play in the Premier League and we need to be ready.”
Wenger may have broken his duck of many years through consecutive FA Cups in the last couple of seasons but every supporter will acknowledge that winning Premier League is the utmost challenge and priority for this squad. Wenger missed a keeper who can complete his squad and put Arsenal on par with our competition. With the arrival of Cech, that piece of the puzzle is complete.
“Petr is a very good keeper with massive experience,” Debuchy said. “He has a lot of quality and is a complete goalkeeper.
“I think [Arsenal can challenge for the Premier League] and I hope so too. We have all the chance to win the Premier League.”
There is still time in the transfer window and Wenger may end up making a couple of additions. Even then, this squad looks good enough to challenge for Premier League and Debuchy believes that Cech’s arrival has already helped galvanize the entire squad.
Do you agree with Debuchy? Has Cech lifted the side even before playing for the club?
Sridhar