It’s been reported in the last few days that the Arsenal right back Mathieu Debuchy is demanding a move away from the Emirates, after spending the last two years of his career being limited to playing with the reserves.
Debuchy has been unable to regain his place in the squad ever since Bellerin took advantage of the Frenchman’s injury back in 2014. He subsequently spent the second half of last season out on loan at Bordeaux after failing to get minutes under his belt at Arsenal. It now looks like after just 16 minutes of game time for the player this season, that he once again is wanting out and Wenger may be willing to provide him with an exit. Debuchy has been linked with a move back to Ligue 1, with a number of clubs including Marseille reportedly interested in making a move for the right back. But Debuchy has now revealed that one of his biggest frustrations with Arsenal is his relationship with Arsene Wenger.
Debuchy is no doubtedly frustrated with his time at Arsenal because quite frankly it hasn’t worked out as planned since his move from Newcastle. But Debuchy is supposedly on the rocks with boss Arsene Wenger, after Wenger blocked him from moving to Manchester United. The French defender revealed: ‘I wasn’t playing a lot, it was United, there’s nothing else to say. For me, it was almost unexpected, but the coach said no. It’s something I did not appreciate. He wasn’t using me, so I didn’t see his interest in doing that.’
In fairness to Debuchy I’m sure the move did look like an attractive option, after all a transfer to United would have allowed him to get the minutes he wanted, with a team that is renowned worldwide. However from Arsene Wenger’s perspective, whether it be a loan or permanent transfer, Debuchy to United would’ve only directly strengthened a rival in an area they needed additions and that’s something Wenger shouldn’t have considered at all. Now Debuchy is certainly no RVP, but it still wouldn’t have been wise to allow United to obtain Debuchy and Wenger definitively made the right decision in waiting for offers elsewhere.
Debuchy’s career at Arsenal is almost certainly over, despite showing a little glimpse of promise during preseason. He did also have a chance to step up during Bellerin’s injury, but Debuchy himself got injured too in his first Premier League start of the season for the Gunners. I fully expect Debuchy to leave North London during the January transfer window, but the question remains whether it will be on loan or in a permanent move, but definitely not to Man United!
By AH