The battles this season in the squad were perhaps expected to be in midfield, with the choice of quality internationals at Arsene Wenger’s disposal, but no one would have thought that the battle for right back supremacy would be amongst the most interesting. Mathieu Debuchy vs. Hector Bellerin the two main competitors, with the former the fully fledged, experienced, 29 year-old French international being first choice for the first month of the 2014/15 season, until injury against Manchester City ruled him out up until the sublime performance against Galatasaray away.
Upon his return from injury, we saw the versatility and another sign of Wenger’s tactical know how, with the Frenchman putting Debuchy into a centre half role against former club Newcastle and a few following that game, Debuchy admitting this it was his “first time playing at centre back, but it was a good experience for me and I felt good”. He went as far as to say: “It would be no problem for me to play there again”. The versatility of playing centre back could be vital for Debuchy in the next few seasons if Bellerin is to thrive as well as he has this season, as it could be a way into the first team.
Debuchy’s experience allows fans to feel comfortable, and that experience may have benefitted Arsenal at times this season with Bellerin showing his age and inexperience. One of these moments was in the FA cup recently with Jack Grealish managing to turn Bellerin in the box, the Spaniard grabbed a hold of him and most Arsenal fans will admit Grealish should have been awarded a penalty. Luckily for Bellerin, his mistakes have not been in moments of mass despair, they have generally occurred whilst the team is doing well, meaning the focus is generally not on Bellerin’s mistakes. However, these moments could have been more comfortable with the experienced Debuchy.
[interaction id=”557555a284caec334b5a7ed0″]
If Debuchy’s strengths are in his experience; his versatility; his positioning and his pace, you have a very solid right back on paper. I believe Bellerin comes into his own with his pace and recovery speed. It’s certainly not coincidence that Wenger plays Per Mertesacker on the right of the two central defenders; with Bellerins pace, he can always help to cover and the German can often give him the ball to help set off an Arsenal attack.
Another strength of having the more attacking Bellerin is the disappearance of lethargy on the Arsenal right hand side, especially if Aaron Ramsey or Jack Wilshere are deployed on the right; two players who like attacking the middle of the pitch. Bellerin speeding down the flank can stretch opponents and help to break down the more defensively sound teams.
To conclude, I believe the two are both quality players. Debuchy would slot well into any Premier League team when fit as a solid, trusted, experienced right back, and with his great defensive ability, as he ages he could be able to make for a great central defender. Bellerin on the other hand has a lot going for him, with his pace an unbelievable asset to help cut out any quick counter attacks.
Wenger has a tough decision next season to make between the two next season if both remain fit.
