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Why Arsenal won’t need to replace him

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Mathieu DebuchyMathieu Debuchy looks set to leave Arsenal before the transfer window closes after revealing talks went well with Aston Villa boss Remi Garde over a possible move to the West Midlands club.

Several clubs such as Roma, Lyon, West Brom and Bayer Leverkusen have all reportedly been credited with some interest for the forgotten right-back.

Debuchy has failed to reclaim his starting role from Hector Bellerin in Arsene Wenger’s side and recently stated that he cannot remain at Arsenal this winter.

And the Frenchman looks to be in luck with Aston Villa ready to take him on loan until the end of the season after successful talks with Garde:

‘They are one of the teams interested in me.

‘I am in the process of looking at everything but it is not an option that I am excluding.

‘Whatever happens, even if it is to come back in summer and leave after that, I need to leave this winter. I cannot stay at Arsenal.

‘Even if they are currently in trouble, Aston Villa is one of the great English clubs.

‘It is also for that reason that I do not rule out this option. I have also spoken to the coach [Remi Garde] on the phone. That went well.’

Whether he joins Villa or another club, Debuchy will almost certainly leave the club before the transfer window closes. This is for sure.

But with the Frenchman’s departure imminent, many of the Arsenal faithful will wonder if Wenger will bring in a replacement. After all, it’s another player down and, more importantly, a defender – an area where Arsenal have struggled in the past.

With this in mind, should Wenger perhaps consider signing a replacement before letting Debuchy go? Personally, I don’t think it is necessary to do so.

I believe we have enough options in this department (at least until the end of the season) to cope. Hector Bellerin will play as long as he remains available with Calum Chambers as his back-up. Should both SOMEHOW both be unavailable for selection, Laurent Koscielny can play in the full-back position as he has done in the past, and Mathieu Flamini, as well as even Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, can fill in if need be.

The fact that Debuchy has only started two Premier League, Champions League and Carling Cup games this season goes to show that the potential loss of his services wouldn’t do much harm to the squad, or our chances of lifting silverware.

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