Arsenal Must Quit Playing Games With Mathieu Debuchy

Arsenal are still in limbo over what to do with Mathieu Debuchy. He wants out but they must determine whether to loan him, sell him, or, for some reason, keep him.

Arsenal was supposedly ready to sell Mathieu Debuchy this winter. However, here it is in the final third of the transfer window and Debuchy is still sitting on Arsenal’s bench on a daily basis. Given Didier Deschamps comments about Debuchy needing playing time in order to suit up for France in the Euros, time is of the essence.

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Debuchy himself has taken to the microphone and let’s just say he is none too happy.

“I have to go this winter. I cannot stay at Arsenal. I clearly lost six months. I would have preferred to leave last summer but the coach told me I would have my chance – it was not the case.” He said, as quoted by the Guardian. He went on: “I do not know who is responsible. Last year I got injured and I’ve been away a long time and Bellerín played some good matches. This summer, I had a good preparation and I was able to resume the season – but the coach decided otherwise.”

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Debuchy has been linked to a loan move to Aston Villa as perhaps the front runner of where he will end up.

Whatever the case, something needs to be done. Debuchy is 30 years old and he is taking up a spot on Arsenal’s bench. He is never used, which was evidenced by the fact that throughout the mass of holiday fixtures, Debuchy was never seen. The Frenchman is right, he cannot stay at Arsenal.

From Arsenal’s perspective though, a loan may not be the best decision. Although it looks to be the main option as of right now, Wenger must ask himself one question. Is he any more likely to play in six months?

If the answer is anything other than a yes, then it is time to sell him. Arsenal have Calum Chambers and Carl Jenkinson waiting to step up to sub duties and they will probably be used far more often than Debuchy, who has no future at the club.

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Loaning Debuchy only prolongs the inevitable. In the summer, he will be 31 and Hector Bellerin will be 21. Bellerin has held the starting role thus far into his career, what is going to change in Debuchy’s six month loan spell? Absolutely nothing. Don’t waste the time to loan him, then welcome him back just to either continue freezing him out or sell him. It is time to make a conclusive decision and sell the man.

Plus, by loaning him out, Wenger is essentially ending any hope Jenkinson has of returning to Arsenal. He has been on loan for two years now and with the sale of Debuchy, he would be facing a pretty solid chance of working back into the first team. However, knowing that Debuchy is going to return shuts the door in young Carl’s face.

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Debuchy’s situation is unfortunate, but Wenger is only making it worse by not selling him. Whether he meant to lie to him or not about giving him a chance does not matter now. All that matters is fixing the situation and letting Debuchy stretch his legs somewhere else.