Haba Debuchy!

Debuchy

In Nigeria the word “haba” is an exclamation akin to saying “what were you thinking?” it is basically used when someone does or says something that was not expected of him/her.

“Haba” escaped from my lips when I read that Mathieu Debuchy of Arsenal was angry with Manager Arsene Wenger for blocking his move to Manchester United in the January transfer window.

Debuchy is a player I admire a lot. Not because he is an Arsenal player but because he is a great defender. Even when he was playing for Newcastle he showed class and composure. There was a time he even benched Bacary Sagna – then of Arsenal – in the French national team.

In 2014, Debuchy, 30, had a dream move to Arsenal worth £12m. Although the Frenchman made a good impact at Arsenal in his first season, he was unfortunately plagued with a series of serious injuries that kept him in the treatment room for months. Wenger had no dependable substitutes and had to rely on 20-year-old Hector Bellerin to fill in.

The Spaniard, who had only a played a handful of games for the Gunners hitherto, had a shaky start but gradually improved and has now become one of the best right backs in the Premier League. By the time Debuchy regained full fitness, Bellerin had cemented his place as Arsenal’s first choice right back. Debuchy could hardly get a game.

And because the 30-year-old wants to represent his country in the upcoming Euro 2016 in his native France, he knew he had to play in order to be selected for Les Bleus. Maybe he thought Wenger, a fellow Frenchman, would understand and let him play. But Wenger wants to win trophies with Arsenal and there is no room for sentiment. Obviously, he believes he has a better chance of doing so with young Bellerin.

In frustration, Debuchy sought a move out of Arsenal and Wenger, a perfect gentleman and a father figure, obliged. But the snag was that Debuchy, wanted a move to Manchester United.

Reds boss Louis van Gaal launched the cheeky bid because of injuries to four of his players in that position – Ashley Young, Antonio Valencia, Phil Jones and Darmian. Wenger promptly blocked the move and Debuchy eventually went on loan to French club Bordeaux. But that didn’t stop him from being miffed. He says he is disappointed that Wenger blocked a “magnificent” move to Manchester.

“I discussed it with the coach, who said that obviously he couldn't help out a rival,” he told French television channel Canal+. “Yes, I'm a little bit annoyed with him. It's his choice.”

Haba! Did Debuchy really think Wenger would let him go to United? Does he know that the move would have seen the Gunners strengthening a rival in the Premier League?

Arsenal fans almost killed Wenger for letting Robin van Persie move to Old Trafford in 2012. Many branded the French tactician naïve, especially as van Persie’s goals helped Manchester United win the Premier League title. If Wenger had allowed another Arsenal player join United he would not just be naïve, he would be plain stupid. And the Frenchman is by no means stupid. He is not called “Le Professeur” for nothing.

Debuchy will return to Arsenal after France's participation in Euro 2016 this summer but I can bet he has played his last game for the club.