Arsenal: Carl Jenkinson Sold, So Why Is Mathieu Debuchy Here?
By Josh Sippie
Arsenal has parted ways with lifelong Gooner Carl Jenkinson, selling him to Crystal Palace. So why exactly is Mathieu Debuchy still here?
Arsenal has a pretty golden situation at right back. With Hector Bellerin an ever-budding super star in the making, and with him just 21 years old and rarely in need of a breather, the Gunner’s have a fantastic front line at the position.
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Conveniently, Bellerin’s injury problems this year have welcomed the stopgap solution of Gabriel Paulista who has been fantastic filling in. So fantastic, in fact, that all other right backs have no hope of playing.
It’s that simple.
Which made things inconvenient for Carl Jenkinson, the lifelong Arsenal fan, and Mathieu Debuchy, the world class right back in hiding. They had no future to look forward to, unless Gabriel was called into the central of the defense and Bellerin was out injured.
And even then it was only temporary. Bellerin would be back. He would always be back.
With that in mind, Carl Jenkinson was the first to go. Sam Allardyce made himself a deal with Arsene Wenger and bought the still-young English right back for himself in an attempt to turn around the sputtering Eagles.
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It’s sad, really, to see someone so dedicated to the Gunners sold off to don another jersey. But in a sense, Wenger is doing him a favor by getting him to a team that is going to play him. You can love a team all you want but if you never play for them, it’s not the best situation.
If Jenko has been sold off, as the right back scenario continues to close, then why hasn’t Mathieu Debuchy? In my estimation, Jenko had more to offer and more upside than Debuchy. And I don’t mean that as a slight to the Frenchman. He’s mad talented, but he has nothing to do with the club.
Which really isn’t a fault of his. His injury record at Arsenal has been beyond cruel and it has opened up the window for Hector Bellerin to crawl through.
Debuchy is 31 now but the man still has talent. He still has the ability of a strong right back and I find it hard to believe that no teams out there are snapping at a disgruntled, former world class right back.
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It’s almost a matter of pity. The guy just wants to play and clearly it is not happening in North London, nor will it ever be as as of last year. It’s time that he is sold.