Right-back was ready to leave after Community Shield snub
Arsenal defender Mathieu Debuchy has confirmed that he considered leaving the club over the summer after Arsene Wenger picked Hector Bellerin over him for the Community Shield.
The Frenchman lost his place in the first-team at the Emirates Stadium after suffering a dislocated shoulder against Stoke City, and whilst he was sidelined, Bellerin came in and impressed.
So much so, Wenger kept Bellerin as his first-choice right-back even when Debuchy returned to fitness and has continued to pick him for the start of this campaign too.
With both right-backs now fit, it’s a competition for the starting spot in Wenger’s back-line, but it may all have been different if Debuchy went through with his plans to leave.
Speaking in an interview in France, Debuchy confirmed that he considered leaving the club after the Community Shield snub at Wembley.
Debuchy Considered Leaving
‘It is difficult,’ he told L’Equipe.
‘Even if I had not played a lot last season, in my head I would return to start after my recovery.
‘But, at the Community Shield against Chelsea, Wenger chose him, Bellerin.
‘It was a surprise and a disappointment. Let’s say it crossed my mind (leaving).
‘But I want to be at Arsenal and to take my place.’
The Frenchman has only been at Arsenal for just over a year after agreeing to leave Newcastle United last summer.
Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt
