Injured Arsenal Duo Arteta & Debuchy Out For Three Months

Arsenal are set to be without the services of defender Mathieu Debuchy and midfielder Mikel Arteta for three months, the club have announced.

Both players have undergone successful surgeries, with French full-back Debuchy recovering from a shoulder dislocation he suffered early on during last Sunday’s win over Stoke City.

Speaking to the club’s official website, manager Arsene Wenger said: “Mathieu had a surgery on his right shoulder following the injury on Sunday.

“It’s very unfortunate for Mathieu, it’s unbelievable because he’s had two surgeries in the same season.

Mikel Arteta and Mathieu Debuchy Out for Three Months With Injuries. Image: Carl Court/ AFP/Getty.
Mikel Arteta and Mathieu Debuchy Out for Three Months With Injuries. Image: Carl Court/ AFP/Getty.

“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.”

It is Debuchy’s second major injury setback since arriving from Newcastle last summer having already missed three months of the campaign following an ankle-ligament surgery in September.

Arteta has not featured for the ‘Gunners’ since coming off with a calf injury during a 2-0 win over Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League on November 26.

The skipper was initially set to be sidelined for three to four weeks but will now spent a further three months in rehabilitation after developing another problem with his ankle.

“Mikel has had surgery which went well. I have just seen him, he is back with us at the training ground,” Wenger said.
“He had a limited mobility in his ankle and some persistent inflammation that had an impact on his calf.
“That meant we had to make the decision to have surgery and it’s a proper solution which gives him the best chance to recover.”

The figure on Arsenal’s treatment table continue to fluctuate with Jack Wilshere (ankle), Kieran Gibbs (ankle), Danny Welbeck (thigh) and Abou Diaby (calf) all missing recent matches, while Calum Chambers has been struggling with illness.

Wenger has also confirmed that £16m summer signing Danny Welbeck will miss Sunday’s visit to Manchester City but defender Kieran Gibbs could feature at the Etihad.

“Kieran Gibbs will be training again with the squad on Friday and we will see how he goes from there. His news is positive,” Wenger said.

“Danny Welbeck is not ready yet, he is still feeling some pain, so we will have to be patient.”