Hector Bellerin Doing Best To Calm Arsenal Paranoia

Hector Bellerin has become something really special. It takes a very talented individual to overtake the French National Team’s starting right back and not relent. That is precisely what the young Spaniard has done at Arsenal.

As a 19-year old, Bellerin found himself tossed into the deep end without any floaties or inter-tubes at the Westfalenstadion. He just about drowned. By the end of the year, Hector Bellerin had turned Debuchy’s injuries into a career opportunity.

He has such a vice grip on the position that Debuchy is poking around to see where he may be able to move to. Being forced to sit behind a 20-year old phenom is no desirable place to be in.

Hector Bellerin made the jump from Barcelona’s youth side to Arsenal at the age of 16. The similarities to Fabregas begin. Both are Spanish, both supporters of Barcelona and both products of the Spanish giant’s youth system. It was inevitable that Arsenal supporters were going to start worrying that Bellerin would follow the exact same path as Fabregas before him. After all, this is Arsenal.

However, Hector Bellerin is doing absolutely all he can to ensure Arsenal nation that he has no such intentions. “I’ve always said the reason I came to Arsenal is because I want to stay here and I am not thinking about going anywhere else,” he said via SkySports.

Countryman and team mate Mikel Arteta has spoken in favor of youngster as well. He stated that “He had that perfect development” to lead him to a successful career. Not only at Arsenal but at the prestigious Spanish National Team.

Arsenal have uncovered a gem in Hector Bellerin. For a 20-year old to be as consistent in his play, as potent on the ball and as solid defensively as him really is a treat. It is no wonder that Debuchy wants out of town. He has to be painfully aware how special the talent in front of him is.

Defensively, Bellerin is averaging over 2 tackles, over 2.5 interceptions and over 3 clearances a game. His speed makes him a constant threat on offense as well. That same speed allows him to get forward without any risk of being caught out. He can recover better than anyone. He has created over 1 chance per game. Not bad from someone who’s primary responsibility is defense.

What is making Bellerin even more valuable is the fact that he looks like a veteran fullback on defense, but on offense he dribbles with the deft touch of a midfielder. Arsenal lack width. Particularly with Aaron Ramsey playing out wide. Bellerin serves as a masterful overlap that can actually stretch the width of the pitch. His offensive clout allows for Ramsey’s central drifting to not be so problematic.

Arsenal fans are always going to be paranoid that our talents are going to leave. The age of paying off the Emirates embedded that feeling in our minds. But at the very least, Hector Bellerin is doing all he can to reassure the masses that he is not a traitor. He is here at Arsenal to play Arsenal football.

Next: Why isn't Wenger under any pressure?

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