Arsenal Must Dispel Barcelona And Manchester City Bellerin Interest

Barcelona and Manchester City are both reportedly interested in signing Hector Bellerin. Arsenal must dispel such pursuits to continue their development.

For a period of time far too long than many Arsenal fans would have liked, the club regressed into a selling, rather than a buying, state. They were no longer at the top of the food chain, picking and choosing from the cream of the crop. Rather, they were being picked on, often by their nearest rivals, and it led to many years where fourth in the league was the best fans could hope for.

This period culminated with the selling of Robin Van Persie to Manchester United. Sir Ale Ferguson, on the back of the Flying Dutchman, subsequently won the league and Arsenal limped their way to fourth – utter shock – 16 points off the pace. The financial restrictions that had severely hampered Arsene Wenger’s behaviour both in the transfer market and in contract negotiations were easing, though, and that summer, something rather wonderful happened.

More from Pain in the Arsenal

With reports claiming that the Gunners were close to a multitude of big name signings throughout the summer months, as always, nothing had materialised come deadline day. Then, out of the blue and to the shock of everyone, Mesut Ozil completed a £42 million move from Real Madrid to join the North London club.

Since then, Arsenal have not sold one major star, only adding to their squad with the likes of Alexis Sanchez, Petr Cech and Granit Xhaka. However, some of those additions were made with the caveat of further spending and a matching of their ambition. Wenger and the club may have come up short in those areas, and now there are musings of some key players leaving the Emirates.

One such player is Hector Bellerin who broke onto the scene with a tremendous season last year, usurping Mathieu Debuchy as the starting right back. Reports state that both Manchester City and Barcelona are interested in signing the Spanish defender as early as this January, and with Bellerin’s familiarity with the Catalan club and the presence of Mikel Arteta – of whom Bellerin stated in May; “Mikel and his wife adopted me when I arrived. I was a kid and he has been like a father to me.” – as a coach alongside Pep Guardiola in Manchester, there would certainly be some rather persuasive reasons to leave North London.

Reports state that both Manchester City and Barcelona are interested in signing the Spanish defender as early as this January, and with Bellerin’s familiarity with the Catalan club and the presence of Mikel Arteta – of whom Bellerin stated in May; “Mikel and his wife adopted me when I arrived. I was a kid and he has been like a father to me.” – as a coach alongside Pep Guardiola in Manchester, there would certainly be some rather persuasive reasons to leave North London.

A deal is perhaps unlikely at this stage, especially given the remaining three years on his contract, Arsenal need to be deliberate and decisive with their latest star. While Bellerin himself is not irreplaceable, the atmosphere of a potential departure would be difficult to overcome. Wenger and Arsenal need to stamp their authority as one of the top clubs in Europe, dispelling any doubts over the future of their best players.

Next: Arsenal Vs Hull City: 5 Things We Learned

Wenger and Arsenal need to stamp their authority as one of the top clubs in Europe, dispelling any doubts over the future of their best players. Bellerin is one of their star players. Lose him, and the doom and gloom of yester year could soon return.

Home/Arsenal News