Arsene Wenger says Mathieu Debuchy’s latest injury means the Arsenal defender will not leave on loan in January.
Debuchy, who faces six weeks out with a hamstring problem, ended last season on loan at Bordeaux.
The 31-year-old had been tipped for another return to his native France, with Marseille recently reported to be interested in signing him on loan.
Asked if Debuchy’s new injury would rule that out, Gunners boss Wenger said: “Yes of course. I suppose we are now in December and until January he will not be available.”
Debuchy, back in action after a year out, went off after 16 minutes against Bournemouth.
“Mathieu Debuchy’s is a severe injury, yes. It’s six weeks I think,” Wenger said at a press conference on Friday.
“It’s frustrating for me but even more for him because he fights very hard. He’s a guy with an exceptional attitude and is very serious.
“Overall, he is absolutely disappointed, but he is a fighter and will fight to come back.
“People asked why I didn’t play him sooner – for example against Paris St-Germain.
“I had the temptation to play him, but he had only played 70 minutes for the Under-23s.”
The news is a further blow for Arsenal after Santi Cazorla was ruled out for up to three months following ankle surgery.