Soccer

Mathieu Debuchy returns for Arsenal as Sanchez out for Galatasaray trip

Danny Welbeck and Laurent Koscielny are also ruled out for Tuesday’s Champions League match

Mathieu Debuchy of Arsenal was injured in the first half during the Barclays Premier League match between Arsenal and Manchester City at Emirates Stadium on September 13, 2014 in London, England. Photograph: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images
Mathieu Debuchy of Arsenal was injured in the first half during the Barclays Premier League match between Arsenal and Manchester City at Emirates Stadium on September 13, 2014 in London, England. Photograph: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images
Mon Dec 08 2014 - 19:51

Arsenal full-back Mathieu Debuchy has returned to the Arsenal squad for Tuesday's Champions League Group D match at Galatasaray following three months out with an ankle injury.

Spanish youngster Hector Bellerin started at right back for the Gunners at the weekend, as they fell three goals behind within the opening 45 minutes during their defeat at Stoke City.

Goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny also returns from his ongoing hip injury, but several first-team players have remained in London, including Alexis Sanchez with a groin concern, Danny Welbeck (knee), Kieran Gibbs (hip) and Laurent Koscielny (Achilles).

Youngsters Stefan O’Connor, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Gedion Zelalem, Glen Kamara, Chuba Akpom and Alex Iwobi have all travelled.

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France striker Olivier Giroud, fit again following a broken foot, is not eligible in Europe until the knockout stages, while captain Mikel Arteta (calf), defender Nacho Monreal (ankle), Theo Walcott (groin), Mesut Ozil (knee), goalkeeper David Ospina (thigh) and Abou Diaby (calf) continue their rehabilitation, while midfielder Jack Wilshere is not expected back until February after ankle surgery.

Pressure

Meanwhile, according to a leading Gunners supporter group, a video posted online showing Arsene Wenger encountering severe verbal abuse as he boarded a train following Arsenal’s 3-2 loss does not represent the club’s fan-base.

The North Londoners are 13 points behind league leaders Chelsea. Former England striker Gary Lineker described the episode on Twitter as "disgustingly disrespectful" and the Arsenal Independent Supporters' Association chair Lois Langton was also unimpressed.

“It’s a really sad situation to see those fans abusing him at the train station considering all that Arsene has done, not just for our football club, but English football in general.

“We don’t want to see that, it’s not a fair representation of Arsenal’s supporters. There are large-scale disputes between Arsenal fans — it’s almost become a political situation between the pro-Wenger and the anti-Wenger now.

“But it’s one thing having an argument in the pub amongst yourselves and another thing to broadcast it and let the wider public see the split in the Arsenal camp.”