Arsenal named their squad for this season's Europa League earlier today, and the inclusion of one player in particular has surprised fans.
It's not the presence of wantaway Alexis Sanchez, whose £60 million deadline day move to Manchester City collapsed, or Jack Wilshere getting a place despite being destined to move on in the summer window, it is in fact the decision to include defender Mathieu Debuchy in the 42-man squad that has baffled the Gunners faithful.
Image: PA
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Debuchy joined Arsenal from Newcastle for a fee of £12 million in 2014 but despite winning two Community Shields, his stint at the Emirates has been riddled with injuries.
In 2016/17 he made just one appearance in all competitions, and a year prior to that he made seven for Arsenal before heading out on loan to Bordeaux in his native France.
Image: PA
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And though it seemed like he would be one of many players to leave the club in the summer, the 32-year old survived and was named in the Europa League squad by Arsene Wenger.
Here's how fans reacted on social media:
Debuchy is still contracted to Arsenal until 2019 and somehow has remained an Arsenal player despite offering literally nothing.
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Hector Bellerin is Arsenal's first-choice right-back, with Debuchy potentially tussling it out with the likes of Calum Chambers and youngsters Chiori Johnson and Tafari Moore, who have also been named in the squad for the second-tier European campaign.
Image: PA
Arsenal, who last played in the competition when it was the UEFA Cup in 2000, have been placed in a group with BATE Borisov, FC Koln and Red Star Belgrade.
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Will Debuchy see any game-time this term?
Sound off in the comments.
Featured Image Credit: PATopics: Football
