It’s not often that Arsenal players come out in the press to reveal their future plans, with the club wanting to keep transfer rumours under wrap.
However, it looks as if Mathieu Debuchy didn’t get the memo from Arsene Wenger and has spoken to French media (transcribed by the Express) confirming his desire to leave the club next month.
The Frenchman has been plagued by injuries over the year and despite making his return to the first team late in 2016, managed just 16 minutes of action.
Debuchy remains sidelined until mid-January but with Hector Bellerin and Gabriel lined up as better options at right-back, his chances of playing this season are limited.
He’ll turn 32 next year and won’t be given the chance to get a string of games in, and it looks as if his comments to L’Equipe make him a defensive option for any side this winter.
I want a new challenge. I told my agent to come back to me if there was anything concrete.
I miss not having that excitement, the adrenaline. I would prefer a permanent transfer but I’m under contract. If the club says no, what can I do?
I definitely don’t blame Debuchy for wanting a piece of the action elsewhere because his time was up with the Gunners before it even really started.
Bellerin is now considered to be one of the best in the World at right-back, and given his youth the chance of him getting injured on the regular isn’t too high.
A failed loan attempt at Bordeaux for Debuchy earlier this year didn’t really help his case, and now Arsenal could be ready to get rid of some of the deadwood before the end of the season.
Carl Jenkinson has also been linked with a move away from the Emirates on loan, so it’s interesting to see what Wenger might do during January. One thing is for sure, Debuchy’s days in a red and white jersey are over.
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