Mathieu Debuchy Injury: Updates on Arsenal Star's Ankle and Return

Updates from Tuesday, Dec. 9

Mathieu Debuchy will make his return for Arsenal when they face Galatasaray in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Arsene Wenger named his full starting XI, per Ben Nagle of the Mail Online:

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Arsene Wenger has taken the unusual step of naming his Arsenal side to face Galatasaray over 24 hours before the match kicks off, with three reserve forwards included in the starting XI.

[...]

Arsenal's team to face Galatasaray (4-3-3): Szczesny; Debuchy, Mertesacker, Chambers, Bellerin; Oxlade-Chamberlain, Flamini, Ramsey; Campbell, Sanogo, Podolski.

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Updates from Friday, Dec. 5

Mathieu Debuchy will play no part at Stoke on Saturday, but should return for Arsenal's Champions League clash with Galatasaray.

Arsene Wenger spoke of Debuchy's status during a series of injury updates, noted by Arsenal's official Twitter and football writer SamuelJayC:

Updates from Tuesday, Dec. 2

Mathieu Debuchy is on the cusp of his Arsenal comeback as Arsene Wenger revealed he needs one more week to fully recover from his ankle injury.

Arsenal's official Twitter brought the news ahead of Wednesday's clash with Southampton:

Updates from Friday, Nov. 28

Arsene Wenger has given an updated timeline on Mathieu Debuchy's anticipated return to the Arsenal first team.

Wenger revealed, via Arsenal's official Twitter:

Updates from Thursday, Nov. 20

Mathieu Debuchy is not expected back for another three weeks, according to Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger.

Wenger said of Debuchy's ankle to the club's official website:

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Koscielny and Debuchy are doing well, they are out on the field [working] again. We have to see now. Usually field work is three weeks away from full group training. Then there is fitness. It looks straightforward for Debuchy. It's not inflammation, it's just repairing surgery. For Koscielny, it depends how well he responds to training. At the moment he looks good.

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Updates from Monday, Nov. 17

Mathieu Debuchy has confirmed he is close to his Arsenal return following a long-term ankle injury.

Debuchy predicted a December comeback, per Aaron Flanagan of the Daily Mirror:

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My injury is now better. I work hard every day with the physio and I want to be back on the pitch in December. I’m looking forward to it.

I was really proud when I signed for Arsenal and it has been frustrating getting injured so soon, but I am focused on coming back stronger. I am very positive about that.

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Updates from Tuesday, Oct. 28

Mathieu Debuchy updated fans on his recovery via his Twitter account on Tuesday:

Updates from Tuesday, Sept. 23

Mathieu Debuchy has told Arsenal fans he will return a better player after it was confirmed he will miss the next three months of the season with an ankle injury.

The Frenchman tweeted:

Updates from Monday, Sept. 22

Arsene Wenger has confirmed Mathieu Debuchy will be out for three months due to the ankle injury picked up in a recent clash with Manchester City.

James Olley of the London Evening Standard tweeted:

Updates from Friday, Sept. 19

Mathieu Debuchy will be out for anywhere between six weeks and three months due to the ankle injury suffered against Manchester City.

Arsene Wenger provided the latest, via James Olley of the London Evening Standard:

Updates from Wednesday, Sept. 17

Mathieu Debuchy provided an update on his status, via Facebook:

Updates from Monday, Sept. 15

Wayne Veysey of Goal.com reported a diagnosis on Mathieu Debuchy's ankle injury:

Sky Sports News reports the potential timeline for Debuchy's recovery:

Arsene Wenger also spoke about Debuchy's injury prior to Arsenal's Champions League match vs. Borussia Dortmund (via James Orr of The Independent):

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'Monreal didn't travel and we have a little problem and Chambers is 50-50. Debuchy is out for a longer period - we don't know how long - and [Yaya] Sanogo stayed at home with a little hamstring problem.

'The Debuchy injury puts us in a position where we do not want more injuries. [But]Chambers can play in different positions and Monreal can play centre-back and we have as well Bellerin, who I think is now ready to play.' 

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Original Text

Arsenal defender Mathieu Debuchy was forced to leave the club's high-profile Premier League clash with Manchester City inside the final 10 minutes due to an ankle injury.

The Gunners noted he received an extended period of care before getting taken off the pitch:

Phil McNulty of BBC Sport confirmed the ankle knock and noted Calum Chambers came on to replace him:

Arsenal led the match 2-1 at the time of his exit. City proceeded to level the score just minutes later.

Wenger talked about the injury after the match, according to Rob Harris of the Associated Press:

Debuchy updated fans on his ankle injury via a Facebook post:

Obviously any type of long-term absence would be a significant blow to the Gunners' back line. Debuchy was one of the club's notable summer signings. He was brought in to replace Bacary Sagna on the right side of defense.

Chambers will probably continue to fill the void until the French international is cleared to return. It's unknown whether the 19-year-old rising star is ready for consistent appearances against elite competition at this point in his career, however.

More information will be provided once the club releases details following further evaluation.