Mathieu Debuchy back in Arsenal first-team contention… as a centre-back
Arsene Wenger confirms that France international is in line to become a regular performer in central defence
ARSENE WENGER has handed Mathieu Debuchy an Arsenal lifeline – as a centre-back.
Debuchy, 32, was set for an Emirates exit when Wenger told him he was free to leave in last January’s transfer window.
The France international picked up a hamstring injury in his only Gunners appearance last season, 15 minutes into a 3-1 Prem win over Bournemouth.
Debuchy has re-entered the first-team fold in the last fortnight, playing 90 minutes in the 1-0 win at Red Star Belgrade.
He then got another two hours of action under his belt in the extra-time win over Norwich in the EFL Cup last week.
Wenger insists Debuchy, who has made just 24 appearances since joining from Newcastle in 2014, is now ready to convert from right-back.
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And that would see Debuchy, like Nacho Monreal, move from a full-back role to part of a back-three in the 3-5-2 system Wenger has deployed since the end of last season.
The Gunners boss said: “We are all very pleased for him here because he has gone through some very difficult moments with setback.
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“The fact that he got through 120 minutes the other night is a huge boost for him. He needs to recover now but from now on, he’ll be a candidate to fight for the team places again.
“Mathieu is absolutely strong and determined as well. He’s a quiet character but a very strong one.
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“I must say he’s 100 per cent a professional player. Everybody in the medical department just says he’s exceptional.
“Maybe his future is as a centre-back. He has the attributes because, despite his size, he’s very good in the air.
“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.”