Arsenal fans reacted largely with delight as the club announced the signing of Mathieu Debuchy.
Arsenal confirmed their second summer signing last night, as Mathieu Debuchy was announced as an Arsenal player.
The right-back takes Bacary Sagna's place in the squad, and was awarded Abou Diaby's number 2 shirt.
Debuchy is an astute signing, selected as France's number one right-back at the World Cup ahead of Bacary Sagna.
The defender signed from Newcastle, where he has spent the past 18 months after signing from Lille, where he was part of a title winning side, and played in the Champions League.
Manager Arsene Wenger said of his new addition: "He has shown he can perform at the highest level with his club sides and also for France.
"He is a quality defender who has good Premier League experience and I’m confident he will fit in very well with us."
Debuchy himself took to Twitter after the deal was announced to thank Newcastle fans, who saw Dutch right-back Daryl Janmaat arrive on the same day.
I Will never forget the atmosphere at St James park thank you and see you soon
— Mathieu debuchy (@MatDebuchy) July 17, 2014
Arsenal fans reacted to the deal largely positively, impressed to see the club acting quickly to replace the departing Sagna.
While last week's announcement of Alexis Sanchez was the blockbuster signing everybody craved, Debuchy's addition confirmed the club are not looking to get caught short at all, and had planned for Sagna's much rumoured departure well in advance.
Debuchy ensures the club do not go backwards as a result of Sagna leaving, and while Carl Jenkinson and Hector Bellerin will compete for spots and aim one day to replace him, the Frenchman is ready for a title battle now.
Here is a look at how fans reacted on Twitter to the deal being announced:
Arsenal look like they are going to smash it this transfer window #Sanchez #Debuchy
— Scott Davies (@scottyd1302) July 17, 2014
Welcome to Arsenal #Debuchy. Another quality signing from Wenger. I absolutely love this side of our boss. Keep spoiling us! We love it!
— Abubakar Hussein (@awesomehabibi) July 17, 2014
Well played Mr Wenger #Debuchy #ArsenalSigns
— Millie Wangui (@Millz179) July 17, 2014
Great to see Wenger finally spending some money. #Debuchy #Sanchez
— Anjali Patel (@AnjPatel96) July 17, 2014
Wenger signing established players as replacements? Finally!! #Debuchy #AFC
— Devon Anderson (@DevTheAnderson) July 17, 2014
Sagna couldn't beat @MatDebuchy to a starting place at the world cup surely #debuchy would do great for us
— Harry 'Gunner' Bard (@Hk_bardd) July 17, 2014
Sagna's absent is a blessing we got an updated right back. Welcome home #debuchy
— Geo_Gooner (@mudassiryushau) July 17, 2014
Id rather save the £12m n give Jenkinson a go #Debuchy
— BF10 (@10fiskofficial) July 17, 2014
Matieu Debuchy now a Arsenal Player. Odd part is that he will where No 2 jersey which is meant for diaby. Is it the end of diaby at arsenal?
— Fabunmi Emmanuel (@FabunmiEmma) July 17, 2014
Debuchy is a solid signing, not amazing, but will do the job. Hard to find a RB better than Sagna,also allows Jenko and Bellerin to progress
— J-esut Ozil (@Goonerlife158) July 17, 2014
At least with Debuchy, it's a perfect signing for filling in until we see if Jenko or Bellerin can ever properly take a 1st team place
— Justin Hackett (@Racket) July 17, 2014
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