Arsenal right-back Mathieu Debuchy has spoken for the first time about his loan move to Bordeaux since making the switch on the last day of the January transfer window.
The 30-year-old defender has made it clear that the move was entirely focused on earning enough playing time so as to receive a call-up back to the French national side in time for this summer’s Euros.
Having been injured for large chunks of his Arsenal career, Debuchy found that youngster Hector Bellerinclaimed the starting right-back position in the team; cutting his playing time massively. Speaking to Foot Express, the Frenchman admitted that he did not feel that he would get the playing time that he needed to stake a claim for the French team if he continued at Arsenal.
I need playing time in order to go to the Euros, that is my primary objective, if I had stayed at Arsenal, without playing, I do not think that I would have become part of the squad.
I am here to enjoy myself, to play to the max, to help Bordeaux to reach their aims and go to the Euros.
Debuchy will be hoping to rediscover his form while at Bordeaux so as not only to earn a place in Didier Deschamps’ side, but also to potentially secure the starting right-back spot from Bellerin next season.
