Arsenal announce Debuchy out for three months after ankle surgery

Arsene Wenger has confirmed that Mathieu Debuchy has had ankle surgery and will be sidelined for three months.

The Arsenal full-back sustained ligament damage during the 2-2 draw with Manchester City earlier this month.

“He has had surgery and will be out for three months,” Wenger told Arsenal.com. “A reasonable delay is three months.

“It all went well, but it can be a week or two earlier or a week or two later, but it will be around three months."

Debuchy had made an impressive start to his Gunners career after joining in a £12million deal from Newcastle in the summer.

Another close season arrival, Calum Chambers, deputised in the Frenchman's absence against Aston Villa and will now be given an extended run in the team.

“It is a blow of course, how big it will be we will only know afterwards because it will be down to how well we replace him," added Wenger on Debuchy's injury. "We bought [Calum] Chambers for that.”