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Would he have been a big loss had he left?

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DebuchyMathieu Debuchy contemplated leaving Arsenal after losing his starting berth to Hector Bellerin.

The France international arrived at Arsenal last season from Newcastle for £12 million to replace Bacary Sagna, who moved to Manchester City.

However, the 30-year-old debut season at the Emirates was disrupted by injuries to his ankle and shoulder which limited him to just 11 Premier League starts.

While Debuchy was on the treatment table, Bellerin’s emergence excited the Emirates faithful and proved to be a hit with Arsene Wenger with his impressive displays for the club.

This season so far, Debuchy has only featured once for the Gunners, this coming in Arsenal’s 2-0 loss to West Ham in the opening game of the campaign.

Bellerin continues to keep him out of the side, starting the last three games at right-back, and Debuchy admitted that leaving crossed his mind at one point:

‘It is difficult. Even if I had not played a lot last season, in my head I would return to start after my recovery.

‘But, at the Community Shield against Chelsea, Wenger chose him, Bellerin,’ he added. It was a surprise and a disappointment. 

‘Let’s say it (leaving) crossed my mind. But I want to be at Arsenal and to take my place.’

So on hearing Debuchy’s comments, would you have been disappointed if the French defender had left?

Personally, I’ve never really rated Debuchy, even when he was at Lille and Newcastle, and feel more at ease when I see Bellerin on the team sheet on match day.

I believe Debuchy is a good cover option and even if he had left this summer, I’m sure Wenger would have kept Carl Jenkinson at the club to compete with Bellerin for the right-back role.

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