Mathieu Debuchy says he’s hoping to leave the Emirates in January having proved his fitness and form in six cup appearances for Arsenal this season.

The France international has been banging on about moving to pastures new ever since he was usurped by Hector Bellerin as Arsene Wenger’s first choice right-back a couple of years ago.

A combination of injuries and being out of favour have meant the France international has spent a substantial period on the sidelines, although there was a short loan spell with Bordeaux in 2016.

Permanent moves have yet to materialise with Arsenal denying him the chance to join Manchester United and a deal with Nice falling through last summer.

“I want to leave, to find a new challenge in January,” said Debuchy when quizzed on his ambitions for the future. “The fact I’m playing well will give me opportunities.

“We’ll see if there are good opportunities in the transfer window. I’m open.”

Reflecting on his failed return to France in the summer, Debuchy added: “As of this moment, I still don’t know why it didn’t come through. I was really close to Nice

“I met Julien Fournier [Nice’s CEO], and I also met the coach in a hotel in the city. We talked a lot. I passed tests to reassure them, and everything was great.

“I was waiting for them to get back to me, but in the end they never did, not even a little message. I was very disappointed with that attitude, especially from Mr Fournier, but I’ve moved on and it’s allowed me to play very high-level games with Arsenal again.”

Debuchy has another 18 months left on his current Arsenal deal, it remains to be seen whether the club will let him move for a nominal fee. We suspect the player’s wages have often proved a stumbling block when opening negotiations with interested parties…perhaps he’s willing to take a cut this time? We’ll see.