Mathieu Debuchy will have to see a specialist thanks to the shove from Stoke’s Marko Arnautovic which left him with a dislocated shoulder.
Contrary to the way that it is being reported across various websites and papers, it was not a ‘collision’ – the Arsenal man was off the ground, the ball was out of play and the Stoke man clearly shoved him into the advertising hoardings.
Debuchy required lengthy treatment at the side of the pitch while the doctors and paramedics worked to stabilise his shoulder before he could be stretchered off.
Speaking after the game, Arsene Wenger said
“It’s dislocated so it will take a while. He will have to see a specialist.”
It is expected to keep Debuchy out for around six weeks.
Arsenal have plenty of experience in this area as Theo Walcott had shoulders that would pop out of their sockets if someone merely tapped him on one.
The Frenchman has certainly been more than a touch unlucky since arriving at the club from Newcastle in the summer.
An ankle injury picked up early in the season ruled him out for three months, only returning to first team training at the start of December.
View Arsenal’s treatment room here.