Arsenal Boost As Star Confirms Imminent Injury Return

Arsenal have been handed a major injury boost as defender Mathieu Debuchy has confirmed he’s set to return to full training next week.

The French international has been on the sidelines since damaging ligaments in his left ankle during our 2-2 draw with Manchester City at the Emirates back in September.

He was initially not expected back until the New Year but it appears he could be set for a return to action slightly ahead of schedule as the 29-year-old has now confirmed in an interview with French newspaper L’Equipe that he’ll resume first team training next week.

Debuchy also revealed that he’ll be fit to make a return to the first team before the end of the year with a comeback against Queens Park Rangers on Boxing Day pencilled in as his return date.

The full-back said:

“I think I’ll resume group training next week. I’ve been sidelined for ten weeks, but it should go pretty fast from now on.”

“The goal is to be fit for the end of the year with a view to playing on Boxing Day, or even a little before.”

Debuchy’s return will be major boost as our lack of options in defence have certainly cost us in recent weeks. With Debuchy and Laurent Koscielny on the sidelines, we’ve had to rely on youngster Calum Chambers to fill-in at right-back, while Nacho Monreal has been forced to play out-of-position in the middle of defence.

Chambers will continue to deputise over the coming four or five games until Debuchy returns at Christmas time but barring any further injuries, we could have our first choice back-four out against QPR for the first time in several months.

It will be great to have him back as Debuchy looked like an excellent replacement for Bacary Sagna before his injury, so hopefully he can get back up to speed quickly and build on a frustrating start to his career at the club.