Mathieu Debuchy has admitted he considered leaving Arsenal after losing his starting place to Héctor Bellerín.
The French right-back joined Arsenal for £12m in July 2014 and saw his first season at the club heavily disrupted by injury, with problems with his ankle ligaments and a dislocated shoulder limiting him to just 11 Premier League starts.
He has featured only once this season, in Arsenal’s 2-0 loss to West Ham, with Bellerín keeping him out of the side. The Spanish youngster also received his first call-up to the national squad this week.
“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.”
Debuchy is currently training with the France squad before their friendlies against Portugal and Serbia.