Arsenal Injury Update: French Defender Steps up Recovery, Hopes to Return to Action Next Month

Arsenal defender Mathieu Debuchy is hoping to return to action in December as he continues his recovery from an ankle injury.

The France international suffered the injury in the Gunners' 2-2 draw with Manchester City at the Emirates back in September, and underwent a surgery soon after to recover from it, which ruled him out for three months.

Debuchy has now stepped up his recovery, and is now on the comeback trail, confident of returning to action by next month.

The 29-year-old also stressed that Arsenal have been playing some good football of late, and believes they can turn around the poor luck with the results soon.

"My injury is now better," Debuchy told the club website. "I work hard every day with the physio and I want to be back on the pitch in December. I'm looking forward to it. I was really proud when I signed for Arsenal and it has been frustrating getting injured so soon, but I am focused on coming back stronger. I am very positive about that.

"Training at Arsenal is an extremely high standard. I'm nearly 30 but I'm still improving by training with players who are of such a high quality, like everyone at Arsenal. It's been more frustrating watching from the stands than being on the pitch. The last two games have been quite positive and hopefully when we face Manchester United we'll come out on top."

Debuchy's compatriot and fellow Gunners defender Laurent Koscielny is also facing another three weeks out with tendinitis in his Achilles.

Meanwhile, Arsenal forward Lukas Podolski has reiterated his desire to leave the club.

The German World Cup winner has made eight appearances for the Gunners in all competitions this season but seven of them have been from the bench.

Podolski, whose contract with Arsenal expires in 2016, has once again expressed his frustration over the lack of game time.

"I've spent the last four months making brief appearances. I've had to wrap myself up warm in my winter coat with my hat and scarf on to watch the others playing. I would rather show Arsenal what I am capable of but this chance to show what I can do is not being given to me. I want to play football for many years to come so am I meant just to say everything is fine and sit my contract out?" the 29-year-old stated.