Arsenal Receive Mixed Injury News: Debuchy Out For 6 Weeks To 3 Months, Updates On Wilshere, Chambers & Flamini

By admin on September 19, 2014

Arsene Wenger sat down for his customary pre-match press conference ahead of Arsenal’s travel to Villa Park and answered questions regarding the fitness of his players and the availability of his injured stars.

There had been worries about the fitness of Debuchy, Chambers, Monreal, Wilshere and Flamini and Wenger has confirmed that French International Mathieu Debuchy is out for six weeks.

“He has an exploration of his ankle on Friday night and they go in and look how the ligament is damaged, and after that we know if he does need surgery. If he doesn’t, it’ll be six weeks, if he does need surgery it’ll be three months. At the moment we don’t know.”, said Wenger when asked Debuchy.

The French International who joined the Gunners from Newcastle, has been impressive so far and his absence would be a real blow for Arsenal early in the season with only the inexperienced Chambers and Bellerin to cover the position further leaving the risk of running out of backups at center back positions.

If Debuchy does remain sidelined for three months, Arsenal will have to play youngster Chambers in as many matches until Christmas, which will include the games against all of the top 6 teams against whom the Gunners are vulnerable to give away cheap goals. Further if Chambers is constantly deployed at right back, Arsenal will only have Koscielny and Mertesacker as the recognized first choice defenders further ruing Wenger’s decision to not sign a quality replacement for Vermaelen.

Meanwhile Nacho Monreal, who injured his back against Man City, will miss the trip to Villa park. “He will miss the game on Saturday. It’s his back and it’s always difficult to predict [the length of absence with those injuries], we don’t really know. I don’t think it will be long-term.”

On a positive note, Wenger revealed the trio of Chambers, Wilshere and Flamini are fit to play against Villa. “We have [Calum] Chambers back because he had tonsillitis and wasn’t available. And everybody who started the game will be available again. Flamini’s back as well because he wasn’t on the team sheet. He’s back and available.”