Stefan O’Connor’s Loan The Most Peculiar Arsenal Loan Yet

Arsenal have sent another youngster out on loan, but this time it is just a one-month loan. Is Arsenal preparing Stefan O’Connor for the departure of Mathieu Debuchy?

In what has become a common theme of the season, Arsenal has sent out their 12th youth product on loan. This time it is versatile defender Stefan O’Connor. The 18 year old Englishman will be joining York City, as reported by SkySports.

Related: Arsenal’s Top 10 Prospects

Stefan O’Connor is an interesting case. At just 18 years of age, he has already made his first-team debut for the Gunners. He played against Galatasaray last December and has become a regular in the Arsenal U21 side. Not only that, but at the national level, O’Connor has seen time on the pitch for the England U17 squad. All things point to a lot of promise. Arsene Wenger even pointed out how pleased he was with Stefan O’Connor following his first-team cameo, where he played right back.

O’Connor has the natural ability and athleticism to play both center back and right back. Again, we all know how much Arsene Wenger loves his versatility. Although, believe it or not, Arsenal is stacked in terms of defense right now. In all likelihood, Mathieu Debuchy is not destined to be in an Arsenal shirt long. When he does move on, Arsenal will have the luxury of picking between Carl Jenkinson and young Stefan O’Connor.

Arsenal FC

But for right now, O’Connor will be in York.

This loan is a peculiar one. While most deals that Arsenal have struck involve a full season or at the very least, half a season with a chance to extend, Stefan O’Connor will only be on loan until January 6th. That is just a month for O’Connor to stretch his legs with another first team outfit. My initial reaction was that this was kind of like a field test for Stefan O’Connor. Arsene Wenger wanted to see how he could adjust to differing scenarios. But is a month really long enough to gauge that?

Another thought was that Arsene Wenger was almost doing York a favor. But even in that case, Wenger would still want to prolong the loan past a month.

And then my final thought settled in. Mathieu Debuchy is disgruntled. He is upset that he does not have the first team spot that he was bought for. He has even been encouraged by Didier Deschamps to seek his fortunes elsewhere, as his national career has taken a downward spiral as well. If Arsene Wenger is resigned to losing Debuchy in January, which is a very realistic possibility, then Arsenal is going to need another right back to cover for Bellerin in the FA Cup and when small nicks hinder the young Spaniard.

With Carl Jenkinson out on loan, that leaves Stefan O’Connor as the next in line. Calum Chambers has played right back, but his future is always going to be at center back. Given the injuries, he looks like he’ll be playing some defensive midfield as well. Arsenal is going to need another option. Playing Chambers at right back is more a liability than a training exercise. His pace makes Arsenal’s right flank grossly exposed and with a true right winger usually missing, Chambers cannot make the overlapping runs that Bellerin does.

Next: 15 Transfer Rumors To Follow Come January

Arsene Wenger knows this. As stubborn as the Frenchman can be, he knows this team. He is diagnosing his options long before the a potentially problematic situation arises. He is doing the same with loading up on wonderkids. By doing so, he is doing his best to prevent an injury plague like the current one from debilitating Arsenal in the future.

By sending Stefan O’Connor out on loan, even to a lower-tier side, he is getting into increased competition. It will prepare him as best as Arsenal can for a return to the first team. Hopefully it works.