Arsenal defender Mathieu Debuchy out for three months

Bad news arrived regarding Arsenal’s French international defender Mathieu Debuchy, as the Gunners will be without their first-choice right back for over three months.

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Debuchy, 29, joined Arsenal from Newcastle United for $19.6 million this summer but fell awkwardly on his left ankle during the 2-2 draw with Manchester City and has since undergone surgery.

Speaking about Debuchy’s lengthy time on the sidelines, here’s what Wenger had to say.

“He has had surgery and will be out for three months,” Wenger said. “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. 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. We bought [Calum] Chambers for that.”

Wenger has been criticized by many for not buying defenders over the summer and that may now be justified as Arsenal will rely on 19-year-old Chambers at right back, with no other experienced defender to back up Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny between now and January. Fellow 19-year-old defender Hector Bellerin came in to make his debut for Arsenal in the Champions League clash away at Borussia Dortmund last week but looks raw as the Gunners overloaded in attack during the summer.

Reports last week suggested that free agents Diego Lugano and Joseph Yobo may be signed as cover, as Wenger may now be ruing the decision to let Thomas Vermaelen leave for Barcelona during the transfer window.

Debuchy had a bright start to his Arsenal career after playing well at the World Cup but his injury now hands the Gunners a serious selection headache.

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