Mathieu Debuchy could be set to start his first Arsenal match since last November against Red Star Belgrade on Thursday.
The Frenchman joined the club from Newcastle back in 2014, and was expected to play a regular role in the starting XI, but things have not gone smoothly.
Debuchy succumbed to a season-ending injury in his opening months with the North-London side, and when returning to fitness his place was no longer available, with Hector Bellerin proving himself to be irreplaceable.
The Spaniard has since found himself to be struggling to hit the heights he was during his opening two campaigns in the senior side, and even lost his place to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain last term.
The Ox has since departed to join Liverpool, leaving the former Barcelona youngster with little competition for places, and Debuchy may well stand a chance of challenging him.
Arsene Wenger has now confirmed that Mathieu may start the game in Serbia this week, in which the Gunners will be looking to continue their 100% record in the group stage of the Europa League.
Wenger said: ‘It’s a possibility he starts tomorrow.
‘He has not played for a long time.’
The defender’s inclusion could see Reiss Nelson fielded in his favoured advanced role, which will excite fans who have been following his progress in the youth sides.
Nelson has been pushing for a chance in the senior side with a number of explosive displays, and the 17 year-old is strongly tipped to be the latest youngster to break through the ranks since Alex Iwobi.
Is Bellerin opening the door for Debuchy to earn a place in the squad? Or is Debuchy simply included to give the Spaniard a rest?
Pat J
Hi My view is to give as much game time to the youngsters as they are our future, and we look to have a great young talented side one who wants to play for the club and not pick their noses or fall asleep on the pitch they cant do any worse than the so called first team and good luck to them
Debuchy could compete with Bellerin if he is fit. Debuchy has more experience, better in marking and I reckon him smarter, even though he is slower.
Besides, Nelson really sucks at the right wingback position. I think Nelson doesn’t want to play in that position, just like Chamberlain.
Both probably.
Arsenal are top of the group
and top ranked side in the whole comp.
Arsenal can afford to sacrifice one away
game as Bate away has already been won.
Belgrade fits the sacrifice conditions.
Everton is a huge game Sunday and Bellerin will be needed then.
Debuchy can easily be subbed if need be.
Ideally he plays reasonably well and gets a few more
soft Europa and FL cup game so he can be hocked off in January.
Mainstream media are slaughtering us – the debate on Sky now. Maybe Kroenke can give Bellerin his old syrup, now he’s adopted the grey look, up his credibility a bit. If we lose the Everton game, I hate to think of the fallout. We seem to be taking all the attention of Chelsea’s shambolic performance over the weekend.
DEbuchy is a better defender to bellerine. we need Niles in place of xhaka.
YES! did not even read the article. Came straight here to say YES!!!!! love debuchy, was so happy when we signed this man, and yes Bellarin has been a revelation and yes he is better than Debuchy. But this man is still a great player and deserves all the game time he can get.
Wenger just does his rotation, from regular starter to team B. Bellerin is living after this season, wenger and his experimenting got everyone fed up…Boy is a left back, he plays him upper to do is back 5 new trick to don’t lose instead to look for win…OX was left back and Bellerin playing above him at some point..WTF! Looks for a long minute like Wenger is lost,.. get Henry to back him, make a nice transition and story doing so.. Wenger can stay one more year and end his contract, watch his son take EPL next year and live that way, get a spot as Sir Alex and watch us win…
Debuchy? Who? Oh I get, that douche bag, le’sulk II
Debuchy has been playing centre back all season for u23s, so I expect him to play in the back 3. I likes Niles at Rwb, I think he is defensively better than bellerin, but then again so is coquelin, who could also do a job there.
But again why are we in this awful position of not having 2 top quality players for each position