Breaking News: Arsenal Seal Deal in the Last Minute for French Defender

Arsenal have confirmed Mathieu Debuchy has joined Bordeaux on a loan deal for the rest of the season.

The out-of-favor Arsenal full-back was linked to a host of Premier League clubs – including Aston Villa, Sunderland, and Manchester United – but he has headed to League 1 instead.

A statement on the Arsenal club website read: “Mathieu Debuchy has joined Ligue 1 club Bordeaux on loan for the rest of the season. Debuchy returns to his homeland for the opportunity of regular football ahead of Euro 2016 this summer.”

“Everyone at Arsenal wishes Mathieu well for his time with the Girondins.”

The north London club also took it to twitter and wrote:

Debuchy has made just 7 appearances for the Gunners this term, with Hector Bellerin having established himself as Arsene Wenger’s first choice right-back.

The Frenchman has therefore decided to move back to League 1, where he formerly played for Lille, in an attempt to secure regular first-team football at Arsenal and earn a place in France’s squad for Euro 2016.

The former Lille defender has endured a disappointing 18 months at the Emirates Stadium since completing a move from Newcastle.

Earlier this month the France international revealed his extreme anxiety to move on, telling L’Equipe: “Whatever happens, even if it is to return this summer and then start again, I have to go this winter. I cannot stay at Arsenal…”

“I clearly lost six months. I would have preferred to leave last summer but the coach [Wenger] told me that I would have my chance. Ultimately, it was not the case.”

Arsenal’s firmness on both a recall clause and a £1million loan fee saw talks with both Aston Villa and Sunderland drag on up until the last hours of the transfer window, in spite of the evidence that the full-back was no longer needed at the club.