Mathieu Debuchy has revealed his disappointment at not being handed back the first-choice right-back slot after his return from injury in comments which are, themselves, disappointing.

It’s fair to say that the Frenchman has not enjoyed the best time at the club, suffering two serious injuries which basically wrote-off his first season with the Gunners.

In his absence, Hector Bellerin took his chance and shone in the place of the more senior defender.

SINGAPORE - JULY 18: Mathieu Debuchy (R) of Arsenal wins the ball from Ross Barkley of Everton during the Barclays Asia Trophy match between Arsenal and Everton at the National Stadium on July 18, 2015 in Singapore. (Photo by Lionel Ng/Getty Images)
SINGAPORE – JULY 18: Mathieu Debuchy (R) of Arsenal wins the ball from Ross Barkley of Everton during the Barclays Asia Trophy match between Arsenal and Everton at the National Stadium on July 18, 2015 in Singapore. (Photo by Lionel Ng/Getty Images)

This season no-one was quite sure whom Arsene Wenger would turn to but as a reward for his excellent season, the boss has stuck with Hector and Mathieu is not best pleased about the whole thing.

Speaking to L’Equipe, Debuchy said “It is difficult. 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.”

It is, perhaps, understandable given his age and the fact that he lost most of last season that he just wants to play and with the Euro’s on the horizon we could be in for a problem come January as he looks to nail down a place in the France squad.

It’s always good to know that players want to actually play rather than sit on the bench and take their wages, but I still find his comments more than a little disappointing given how he hasn’t exactly been second choice for very long.

A statement along the lines of ‘Hector has done very well and I have to work hard to regain my place’ would perhaps have gone down a lot better than this one which very much comes across as ‘give me back my place or I’ll leave.’