Mathieu Debuchy has no intention of giving up his right-back spot after returning from his second serious injury in his debut season with the Gunners.
The Frenchman was thrown back into the deep end as the manager opted to rest Hector Bellerin who has been suffering from ‘ankle problems’ recently and the decision was questioned by many (who didn’t know about Hector’s ankles – i.e. all of us) given how little football Debuchy had played since returning from his Stoke-induced dislocated shoulder.
“It was good to be back on the pitch but it was hard for me.” Debuchy said.
“It’s been difficult, two times in the same season.
“Three months before and three months again – it was the second time I had surgery this season, but now it’s behind me and I’m so happy to be playing [again] for Arsenal.
“Now I’m ok and I want to play a lot, to help the team, and I’m focused on the end of the season. I’m strong in my head now.
“I need to work hard and train again and again but I hope to be ready, to be 100 per cent soon. I need to play some games and I hope to play the rest of the season.”
Wenger faces a bit of a dilemma ahead of the next game against Chelsea – does he stick with Debuchy and allow Hector’s ankles to rest or does he go for the youngster at the expense of Mathieu’s experience?
“Hector has played very well,” added Debuchy. “He’s a very good player and I’m so happy for him. It’s so important for big teams that we have two or three players for the same position.
“It was so important for us, for the club, to get to the final and we did it – now we are focused on the final. We want to win it like last year, but the final is never easy.”