2 – Mathieu Debuchy
£8 million Mathieu Debuchy might very well be one of Arsene’s smartest purchases this transfer window. The right-back’s Premier League experience will allow him to hit the ground running come the start of the 2014/15 season, such is his confidence at playing in the toughest league in the world.
Mathieu is 29 years old, and will probably be able to compete for a starting position in the team for two more years. This is good, as it means the likes of Chambers, Bellerín and Jenkinson will be able to take over as first-teamers once Debuchy nears the end of his career.
In terms of ability, the 29-year-old boasts a strong selection of offensive and defensive abilities. A side that fields Mathieu Debuchy on their right flank will give the opposition plenty to worry about. Not only does the Frenchman have a decent amount of pace, he is also capable of delivering that killer final ball on a fairly consistent basis. His defensive work is solid, and he is strong both in the air and on the ground.
I am fairly confident Debuchy will turn out to be a solid signing for us, and for £8 million, he doesn’t have to shine too brightly to make his purchase worthwhile.
7/10