Arsenal right-back Mathieu Debuchy has admitted that he considered leaving the club this summer after losing his starting place to young full-back Hector Bellerin.

The French right-back joined Arsenal for £12m last summer from Newcastle as a replacement for Sagna. The 30-year-old has a torrid first season at the club which was heavily disrupted by injury, with problems with his ankle ligaments and a dislocated shoulder. He managed just 11 Premier League starts, and effectively lost his place to Bellerin.

Debuchy found himself kept out of the starting XI for the Gunners even when he had returned to full fitness, mostly because of the inspiring form Bellerin had shown in the Frenchman’s absence.

He has featured only once this season, in Arsenal’s 2-0 loss to West Ham, with Bellerin missing out due to injury. Both full-backs have been called-up for their respective countries international duty this month, including Bellerin who received his first call-up for Spain.

Speaking whilst away on international duty, Debuchy had this to say:

“It is difficult,” Debuchy told L’Equipe. “Even if I had not played a lot last season, in my head I would return to start after my recovery. But, at the Community Shield against Chelsea, Wenger chose him, Bellerín.

“It was a surprise and a disappointment. Let’s say it [leaving] crossed my mind. But I want to be at Arsenal and to take my place.”

[Via The Guardian]

Whether or not Debuchy can reclaim his spot as Arsenal’s first choice right-back remains to be seen, but Bellerin’s good run of form means it would be very hard to drop him.