Is Debuchy Right For Arsenal?
Every Summer transfer window for Arsenal Football Club is always billed as a pivotal one for the club’s forthcoming season and without wanting to buy into mass hysteria this Summer could well be the case. There have been some serious negativity surrounding the club, solely by the fans and various sections of the media. Some fans have been disgruntled seeing rivals Liverpool, Manchester City, Chelsea and Manchester United all getting deals done prior and during the World Cup while Arsenal appeared to have not made much progress from initial enquiries.
It now appears Arsene Wenger is ready to announce his first signing of what is expected to be many this Summer with the acquisition of French right back Mathieu Debuchy. Arsenal have been in the market for a right back since the decision of Bacary Sagna to opt for a move to rivals Manchester City rather than extend his stay at the Emirates, it now appears Wenger has got his man. It did not always seem that Debuchy was on Arsenal’s radar. There were links with Juanfran (Atletico Madrid), Serge Aurier (Toulouse) and Seamus Coleman for weeks before rumours of Newcastle’s right back surfaced but this could end up being a very sensible move indeed by Wenger.
The news of Debuchy’s transfer to the Emirates has been met with very mixed opinions, initially I was someone that was very dubious as to whether the right back would be good enough to follow in Sagna’s footsteps I have since taken a closer look and think he may even be an improvement on his 31 year old predecessor. Debuchy was ever present (minus the dead rubber group game vs Ecuador) for France in this Summer’s World Cup. Coach Didier Deschamps seems to prefer the former Lille man over Sagna, Debuchy’s impressive displays only add weight to this theory.
What Will He Offer?
Mathieu Debuchy is a combative right back first and foremost and does not shy away from a challenge which showed last season where he won 71 tackles in 29 Premier League appearance, where Sagna only won 45. He is also very good at reading the game which is highlighted in how many interceptions he made last season totaling 69 which is more than Sagna and even more than Chelsea’s impressive full back Cesar Azpilicueta. This is very interesting reading and quite surprising. It is hard to make an argument against Debuchy being up there with the best in the Premier League. Debuchy also offers a lot going forward and created over 20 chances for his Newcastle team mates last season so it is with no surprise that Wenger has chosen to go the extra yard to bring the Frenchmen to the Emirates.
Only time will tell if Mathieu Debuchy will be a success at Arsenal but the data is there to support that he will. For me this is a no brainer for Arsenal who would be getting an experienced right back who is currently his National team’s No.1 choice and lets not forget he also has settled well into the ways of the Premier League since signing for Newcastle only in January 2013. Debuchy’s switch from St James’ park to the Emirates which is still to be confirmed can only be positive.
