Arsenal announced their squad for this season’s Europa League and one player’s inclusion took many supporters by surprise.
Mathieu Debuchy – remember him? – somehow made the cut for Arsene Wenger’s 39-man squad along with a number of untested youngsters who will be desperate to get a chance to impress in Europe.
The French right-back has made the party despite only making one 16-minute appearance for the Gunners against Bournemouth in the Premier League last term back in November.
Debuchy’s career at the Emirates has been blighted by a string of injuries injuries and the 32-year-old defender was sent on loan to Bordeaux in February in the hope of securing regular game-time.
Arsenal's Europa League squad
Goalkeepers: Cech, Ospina, Huddart, Iliev, Keto, Macey
Defenders: Debuchy, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Holding, Monreal, Mustafi, Chambers, Bellerín, Kolasinac, Bielik, Bola, Johnson, Moore
Midfielders: Ramsey, Wilshere, Ozil, Xhaka, Coquelin, Elneny, Iwobi, Reine-Adelaide, Maitland-Niles, Gilmour, McGuane, Nelson, Sheaf
Forwards: Alexis, Lacazette, Giroud, Walcott, Welbeck, Akpom, Da Silva
However, the France international only managed nine appearances for the Ligue 1 outfit and looked certain to move on from Arsenal ahead of the 2017/18 campaign – but he remains at the club for his fourth season.
Hector Bellerin, Calum Chambers, Chiori Johnson and Tafari Moore are the other players able to operate at right-back in Wenger’s squad.
Here’s how some Arsenal fans reacted to Debuchy’s inclusion…
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