Arsenal injury news: Arsene Wenger allays concerns over Mathieu Debuchy

Arsene Wenger has alleviated concerns over Mathieu Debuchy's fitness, stating that the defender was substituted in the second half citing fatigue and should be available if needed right after the international break. The Frenchman was short of match fitness, having played against Bayern Munich owing to Hector Bellerin's absence with a groin injury.

Debuchy put in a good shift against Spurs and showed signs of coming back to his best which would be an encouraging sign for the Gunners, who have been hit by injuries to key players over the last two weeks. The north London club had 10 players out through injury against Bayern Munich including Laurent Koscielny and Mikel Arteta both of whom were back in contention to add some semblance of depth to the squad.

However, the Gunners lost Santi Cazorla midway through the game, owing to the midfielder feeling dizzy in the first half and was only a fraction of the player he has proved himself to be in recent games. Mathieu Flamini came in to replace the Spaniard but failed to replicate his heroics in the third round of the Capital One Cup where he scored a brace to knock Spurs out of the competition.

Wenger will now be looking forward to a quiet international break, hoping that he does not have any more causality. Aaron Ramsey, Hector Bellerin and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are set to return while Theo Walcott is also expected to be on his way back a few days later.

"Debuchy finished tired because he played against Bayern, and played today, and had not much competition, but he looks alright," Wenger told Arsenal's official website. "We have 10 players out. I hope during the international break we do not lose more, but we should get some back like Ramsey, like Chamberlain for maybe just after the break. Players like Sanchez, who have played many games, they go out and play two games again."