Arsene Wenger has backed Arsenal’s forgotten man Mathieu Debuchy to revive his Gunners career as a makeshift centre-half.
The France international moved to north London from Newcastle in the summer of 2014 but a series of long-term injuries, coupled with the rapid emergence of Hector Bellerin, has resulted in the 32-year-old failing to make any sort of impact.
Debuchy has featured in the Europa League and Carabao Cup in recent weeks, completing 120 minutes in the 2-1 win over Norwich which suggested he may finally be over his injury nightmare and Wenger believes he can thrive as a centre-half in his compatriot’s recently adopted 3-4-3 formation.
‘Maybe his future is as a centre-back. He has the attributes because, despite his size, he’s very good in the air,’ said Wenger.
‘You think he couldn’t play centre-back because he’s not tall, but if you look at the number of balls he wins in the air, it’s impressive.’
On Debuchy’s injury setbacks, Wenger said: ‘Mathieu is absolutely strong and determined as well. He’s a quiet character but a strong one. I must say he is 100 per cent a professional player.
‘Everybody in the medical department just says he’s professional.
‘We are all very pleased for him because he has gone through some very difficult moments with setbacks.
‘The fact that he got through 120 minutes the other night (against Norwich) is a big boost for him.
‘He’ll be a candidate now to fight for the team places again.’
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