Arsenal

Arsene Wenger has "huge respect" for Mathieu Debuchy

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 08 December 2017

Arsene Wenger reveals that Mathieu Debuchy can still earn regular playing time at Arsenal, given that he remains under contract in North London until 2019.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has reiterated that he is willing to give Mathieu Debuchy a run in the side if needed following the full-back's recent resurgence.

Debuchy opened the scoring in the Gunners' resounding 6-0 victory against BATE Borisov on Thursday night for his first goal in almost three years.

The French defender has enjoyed a run of games in the Europa League this term, having put his injury woes behind him for the time being, and Wenger says that there could still be a future for Debuchy in North London.

"He is under contract [until 2019]," he told reporters. "It's down to his performances now and I opened the door for him [to leave] many times because he didn't play and because he has [Hector] Bellerin in front of him.

"I consider him like anybody else and I must say I have a huge respect for his professional side and how much he did fight to come back to the top. He's a tough, tough guy. Tough worker."

Debuchy has featured four times in the Europa League this term and once in the EFL Cup, playing a full part in the 2-1 extra-time win over Norwich City in October.