Arsenal: Captain Hector Bellerin, don’t sell him

Atletico Madrid are reportedly readying an offer for Hector Bellerin. Arsenal, however, should make their star right-back the captain, not sell him.

The summer transfer window made a very slow start to proceedings. More than a month in and almost nothing has happened. Bar the customary expiration of contracts and priorly anticipated releases, Arsenal have not officially completed a transfer, sale or signing.

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However, over the weekend, we did begin to see a little movement of the transfer needle. The Gunners made two offers for Kieran Tierney, both of which were rejected. AC Milan stepped up their approach for Lucas Torreira. And, perhaps a little out of the blue, Hector Bellerin became a person of interest.

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According to the Daily Telegraph, Bellerin has attracted interest from Atletico Madrid, who are searching for a solution to the right-back position. The 24-year-old is seen as a long-term answer for Diego Simeone, who is prepared to offer 29-year-old winger Vitolo as a makeweight in the deal — Vitolo, for context, had no goals and one assist in 20 La Liga games last season. Should Unai Emery want to, the opportunity to move on from Bellerin is there.

But that is not what will be happening. Emery is extremely supportive of Bellerin and believes that he can be a major contributor for the team moving forward. He has no intention of selling him or trying to replace him, despite the ACL tear and the prior links to Paris Saint-Germain right-back Thomas Meunier. Moreover, Bellerin has no intention of leaving.

The Spaniard signed a six-and-a-half year deal in November 2016. He still has four years left to run on that deal. He loves London. He loves Arsenal football club, and, with the departure of Aaron Ramsey, is now the fourth-longest serving member of the squad behind Laurent Koscielny, Nacho Monreal and Mesut Ozil, all of whom could be sold this summer. He is a popular figure among the fans and those at the club.

In fact, if Arsenal should do anything regarding Bellerin this summer, it is making him one of their most essential, foundational pieces, not looking to sell him. He could even be made the captain this summer, should particular players exit, as has been hinted at.

Bellerin is of a terrific character. Just look at his off-the-field initiatives, his social outwork, his care for society, individuals around him, the plant. He also played at an extremely high level last season before suffering injury and is well respected throughout the dressing room. Selling not only a good player but a good person seems foolish.

Arsenal should not be selling Bellerin. They should not even be considering it until the price reaches astronomical figures. If anything, they should be making him captain. That is how integral he is to the Unai Emery rebuild.