In the Guardian they have an article about Mathieu Debuchy’s resurgence since he left Arsenal but the reporters call him a ‘stoic professional’ which is far from the truth.

The article is a joint effort by Adam White and Eric Devlin so it’s not clear who wrote about the Frenchman’s time at Arsenal that “Debuchy remained stoically professional, as he has done throughout his career” but they clearly haven’t been paying attention.

Every chance he got, Debuchy was sounding off in the press about how hard done by he’d been at Arsenal.

Arriving at the club from Newcastle in the summer of 2014, an ankle injury picked up just one month into his new life as an Arsenal player opened the door for Hector Bellerin and Debuchy never got another look-in, something that irked him greatly.

Saint-Etienne's French defender Mathieu Debuchy celebrates after scoring a goal during the French L1 football match between Lyon (OL) and Saint-Etienne (ASSE) on February 25, 2018, at the Groupama stadium in Decines-Charpieu near Lyon, central-eastern France. / AFP PHOTO / ROMAIN LAFABREGUE
Saint-Etienne’s French defender Mathieu Debuchy celebrates after scoring a goal during the French L1 football match between Lyon (OL) and Saint-Etienne (ASSE) on February 25, 2018, at the Groupama stadium in Decines-Charpieu near Lyon, central-eastern France. / AFP PHOTO / ROMAIN LAFABREGUE

Of course, he wasn’t helped when Stoke’s Marko Arnautovic shoved him into the hoardings at Ashburton Grove, without punishment, 35 days after he returned from that first injury, sidelining him until March.

A thigh problem 27 days after he returned from his shoulder injury finished off his first season.

During his time at the club, Debuchy spoke frequently about how he expected to just walk back into the Arsenal starting lineup when he was fit and was angered by Arsene Wenger’s refusal to allow him to join Manchester United.

As far back as 2015 Debuchy was complaining about how he was not handed his first team spot back when he returned from injury.

“It is difficult,” he said. “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.

Debuchy in action against Tottenham u23s
ST ALBANS, ENGLAND – MARCH 03: Mathieu Debuchy (R) in action against Tottenham u23s at London Colney. The experienced French fullback, who operated as a centre-back this time around, gave a good account of himself defensively and was important in helping keep a clean sheet. (Photo source: Tottenham’s official website)

“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.”

Losing his place to Hector Bellerin was a chip Debuchy could never shake from his shoulder.

Two months after those comments, he was at it again.

“I’ll look at the offers to move,” he told L’Equipe. “I love England and the football here, but why not return to France?

“In the summer Wenger told me we’d talk if I was not happy with my situation in December.

“It is now December. I’m waiting to talk to the boss.

giroud coquelin debuchy walcott
via @joshjdss

“Of course I would be disappointed not to make the Euros, it’s probably my last chance to play in such a situation.”

He headed out on loan at the start of 2016 and waited approximately three days before having another go at Arsenal. Less than two weeks later, he got stuck into Wenger. “Yes, I’m a little bit annoyed by him,” Debuchy told Canal+.

“It’s his choice [not to give him playing time]. I came back well this summer, I had a good preseason.”

Another injury scuppered his Euro 2016 chances and he ended up returning to Arsenal, but he still wanted to leave and wasn’t shy about telling everybody. Arsenal could not find a buyer for this ‘stoic professional,’ a pattern that persisted until Arsenal cancelled his contract 18 months later so he could move for free.

Before 2016 was out, however, he had his third go at Wenger for not letting him join United.

He almost managed to get through 2017 without moaning to the media but could only make it to September. In December he reiterated his desire to leave.

In total, Debuchy played 30 games for Arsenal, scoring two and assisting one. He was at the club for 42 months and averaged a total of 58 minutes per month.

After one month of regular football with his new club, a couple of goals and a Player of the Month award, Debuchy was moaning once again that he had not been immediately called back into the France squad.

But sure, stoic professional….