Mathieu Debuchy has truly become a forgotten man at Arsenal, and the French newspaper L’Equipe (cited by Metro) claims that the Frenchman would not have even been at Arsenal had it not been for manager Arsene Wenger blocking the interest from Manchester United. It is reported that Debuchy was subjected to transfer interest from United in the summer of 2015 when they were under the management of Louis van Gaal. One of the primary reasons for the Dutchman showing interest in Debuchy was because the Frenchman was not getting any game time at Arsenal despite joining the club for a substantial fee from Newcastle United in the summer of 2014.
The impressive form of Hector Bellerin meant that Debuchy was not going to get anywhere near the first team in the immediate future. However, United were unable to sign the defender largely because Wenger is believed to have blocked the move. Mikaël Silvestre and Robin Van Persie remain as one of the high-profile transfers between Manchester United and Arsenal in recent years. The intense rivalry between the two clubs is well documented, and it is thought that Wenger exercised to his powers to prevent Debuchy from moving to Manchester.
United has struggled without a proper right back since the retirement of Gary Neville. A number of options have been used in this position. At present, winger Antonio Valencia place in this position largely due to the lack of any real alternatives. Debuchy is not the greatest ever right backs, but he would have been able to do a job when called upon. The 31-year-old spent more than a decade at Lille before moving to Newcastle in the 2012-13 season.
Immediately after establishing himself as a first-team regular at St James’s Park, a move to Arsenal came about. It has become one of the nightmares for the player, as he has been able to feature in the first team very rarely. After making only 15 appearances in his first season at the club, he was loaned out to Bordeaux last season. The move did not make much of a difference, and he is currently playing with the Arsenal reserves simply because Hector Bellerin continues to go from strength to strength.
L’Equipe reports that Manchester United were ready to offer an incredible five-year contract to the player last summer. It is a sign of astonishing commitment from the Red Devils considering that the defender was already 29 back then.
Debuchy is becoming increasingly annoyed with life at Arsenal, as he is simply not getting any first-team opportunities. Even when Hector Bellerin is unable to play due to injuries or suspension, Wenger seems to prefer Carl Jenkinson. As a result, Debuchy is yet to make an appearance this season.
