Mathieu Debuchy admits he feels guilty that he’s not been able to help Arsenal more in his debut season having spent much of the last nine months sidelined by two serious injuries.
The French right-back has undergone operations on both injured ankle ligaments and a dislocated shoulder restricting him to just 14 appearances.
On the cusp of a third Emirates comeback the 29-year-old told L’Equipe [paywalled] he’s found it tough coming to terms with his recent fitness problems
“I just need to find my rhythm and feeling. It’s never easy having two operations in the same season. I’m not 100%, but not far off.
“It’s annoying to arrive at a new club and be injured. I made a good start, felt well and then have had two injuries. Inevitably, in your head, you’re not feeling great, you feel guilty. When a club signs you they’re counting on you and in return, I’ve not brought anything…anyway, it’s only a delay.
“After the World Cup, it’s true that I needed a break. Three weeks of holiday goes quickly. It’s possible my first injury was related to fatigue, but I don’t know.
“It’s not easy being in the stands or watching TV. It was hard, but I made the effort to go to the stadium and to the dressing room after the game. It is important to show our face. I could have made my recovery in France or elsewhere, but I chose to stay at Arsenal.”
Interestingly, after playing an hour for an Arsenal XI victory over Brentford’s reserves on Tuesday – a game held to aid the rehabilitation of several first team stars – the French defender hopped on a plane to Paris to promote his very own range of designer Table Football apparatus.
Yep, for the high-rollers out there Debuchy has teamed up with specialists Toulet to create super-pimped Babyfoot tables.
For a mere €15,000 euros you can get the ‘Blackball‘ version, designed to echo the swish lines of a Lamborghini Aventador or, if you’re a true narcissist, you can have all the players 3D-printed in your own image…
Good attitude to have, and been good when he has been fit. Happy to write this one off with the two freak injuries and i think his experience will be really useful for Bellerin over the next couple of seasons.
He has nothing to feel guilty about. That Stoke cunt pushed him mid air. I can’t believe they didn’t take any action against that cunt.
Couldn’t have been more succinct.
Going to the Stoke game next week and hope our kids fucking trash them.
Do we have a Stoke troll thumbing down on here?
couldn’t agree more! It was a dirty push.
Also, I kind of wish this photo wasn’t used. I remember watching the game and all the bloody photographers leaning over the ads to take a picture of a player at his weakest and most vulnerable. It reminds me of when Eduardo and Ramsey had their legs broken and the websites had no problem showing dangling limbs. Just not classy IMO.
He certainly went the extra mile to prove himself a true Arsenal player. Maybe ditch the heroics next season though Mathieu, you are truly one of us now.
I really like this bloke. I may be biased because I love it when he and The HFB pose for pics, but whatever. (Good thing I use a pseudonym. I doubt my girlfriend reads this, but one can’t be too careful)
I doubt your right hand is that literate.
He said girlfriend – that is typically the left
Left….in the kitchen (only joking, equality for all *feminism defence shields initiated*)
A cultured left hand is a very valuable asset.
One of the better slams I have seen recently
Loved that he stayed with the club and went to the dressing room after games and such. I think stuff like that makes it easier to find his rhythm within the team once he returns.
I really like Debuchy. I think he’s an excellent right back and a fighter and it’s a goddamn shame he’s been injured twice this season for long periods of time. Fine table football table.
This is the statement of true warrior who knows he’s here to do. I’m loving the attitude of these players.
How cruel fate can be sometimes. No one (worth the oxygen they breathe) blames you MD. It’s just part of being an Arsenal player apparently. If he can regain fitness he comes back in to the side for me, even ahead of the impressive and rapidly developing Bellerin, its good to see a player take his foosball so seriously.
It wasn’t fate. It was a dirty push by a dirty Stoke ape who should have the same done to him to teach him a lesson.
Debuchy should not feel guilty..His injury was not necessary…Good to see the best Right Back in the premier league return..
He should not feel guilty, his injuries were freaky in nature & not his fault in the slightest. Him being back will definitely be a boost to us because Hector can improve on his defensive side by learning from him.
He has looked very good when he’s played, and he has a great attitude, but he’s not getting any younger. He has, what, two good years left if he can stay fit? Honestly, I’d rather we go into next season with Jenks and Bellerin and look to the future.
What are you on about you plonker? So we shouldn’t have signed him at all with your logic.
He looked a good signing before he spent his first year out with injury. But if he stays next year (as he will, of course) it means the end of Jenks, which is something I personally find very dissapointing.
The last injury was truly unnecessary. Can’t believe that Stoke bloke didn’t even get a yellow card for pushing someone in mid-air.
On a side, his injury has allowed Bellerin to shine, so that’s at least a bit of a positive from an unfortunate circumstance
I think Debuchy is going to be important next season. If we keep Jenkinson I wouldn’t mind giving Bellerin a season on loan and keep Jenko as backup if he’s ok with that. I don’t want us to sell the biggest Arsenal fan in the squad.
Is Debuchy the TFB? Tattooed French Bloke. He’s really going to help us for the remainder of the season. Bellerin’s going to learn something from him as well.
Yea it’ll be nice to have him back. Weather on the bench or in the pitch. Good presence
Yes there will be weather on the pitch until we get a roof
Probably he should try talking to Diaby. There. I said it.
FFS using the app so don’t know how to reply- but good work, Moonie 😉
Debuchy is a good man though, he didnt disappointed us(or me) at all. Yes, i would love to see jenko back in the club. He’s a really big fan of arsenal, & developing well. The same as bellerin.
Chambers is our RB too, but i saw in the latest car banter video with the Ox he admitted he saw his future as a centre half. So i think it’s not a guilt to keep 3(or 4) RB in the squad, right?
Bellerin starts every game until the end of the season if fit for me. Never been convinced of Debuchy plus now isn’t the time of the season to be working your way back into the team after such a long injury.
A fresh and ready defender is invaluable, even off the bench, against teams like Stoke, Chelsea, Chelsea, Chelsea, Chelsea, and Chelsea.
Looking forward to seeing Debuchy back in the squad – & heating up the competition for places at the back. On which, anyone know what’s happening with Jenkinson? Are we getting him back? If so, is he rejoining the squad – or destined for another loan?
I know Jenko isn’t in the same league as anelka, fabregas or other impressive under-the-radar wenger signings, but Arsene deserves more credit for this one. He was playing in the southern conference and/or football league trophy only 9 months before playing in the Champions League with arsenal. He is also a starter in a mid-table PL team.