Debuchy out for three months with shoulder injury

Arsene Wenger confirmed today that, in addition to Mikel Arteta missing the next three months with an ankle injury, right back Mathieu Debuchy will be out of action for three months as well thanks to Stoke City's Marko Arnautovic cowardly shove from behind early in Sunday's 3-0 victory.

"Mathieu had a surgery on his right shoulder following the injury on Sunday," Wenger told Arsenal Player.

"It’s very unfortunate for Mathieu, it’s unbelievable because he’s had two surgeries in the same season. He just came back, he played seven games and he’s out again. I count three months out for Mathieu because contact will be a problem for the shoulder."

Many thought that a shoulder dislocation wouldn't keep Debuchy out long, and they might have been right had it not been for the need to operate so quickly following the injury. That he needed oxygen to keep him calm and breathing properly while receiving treatment on the pitch, though, should have been an indication this wasn't a normal shoulder ding. Given the timetable Wenger's put on his return, it looks like Debuchy's going to have a race to make it back before the season ends, which is unfortunate since it'll be all but a lost season for him.

This leaves Arsenal with Hector Bellerin as their primary starting right back and Calum Chambers in a backup role. Bellerin has impressed in the starts and substitute appearances he's made so far, with last weekend being arguably one of his finest of the campaign. Now that Debuchy's out, again, and that Wenger's seen enough of Chambers at right back to see that he's not exactly the best in that role right now in his career, Bellerin appears set to show Wenger and the coaching staff how he stacks up versus the league, with a stern test away at Manchester City looming this weekend.