Arsenal Face Injury Crisis With Defender Set For 3 Months Out

Arsenal are facing a defensive crisis with reports claiming that right-back Mathieu Debuchy is set to be ruled out for up to three months with an ankle injury.

Debuchy was forced off during the final stages of Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Manchester City at the Emirates after appearing to twist his ankle while chasing a loose ball.

The 29-year-old received lengthy treatment before being stretchered from the field and manager Arsene Wenger admitted after the game that the defender had suffered a badly sprained ankle, but he couldn’t say for sure how long he’d be out for.

It’s believed Debuchy was sent for medical tests after the match and the Mirror claim that the initial prognosis is the injury will keep him on the sidelines for up to three months.

If true, that would keep the French international out until mid-December, which would obviously be a hammer blow to our season as Debuchy has settled in very well following his move from Newcastle United this summer.

At this point it’s worth noting that Debuchy posted an update on his Facebook page over the weekend saying he’ll have further tests today [Monday] which should reveal the true extent of the problem and precisely how long he’ll be out, so fingers crossed the injury isn’t as bad as the Mirror are claiming.

However, either way, it looks like we’re set to be without our first choice right-back for the foreseeable future and Debuchy’s loss leaves us worryingly thin at the back. Calum Chambers is likely to come in at right-back but that would leave Nacho Monreal as our only senior defensive back-up.

Hector Bellerin and Isaac Hayden have both been training with the first team this season but are yet to be officially promoted to the first team squad, but they may have to step up if we suffer any further defensive injuries over the coming weeks.

Questions must now be asked of Arsene Wenger’s decision not to bring in another defender during the summer. It was an obvious hole in the squad and his decision to go with just six senior defenders looks to have already back-fired.