Arsenal: Hector Bellerin Transfer Would Be Devastating

Barcelona may well be too good to turn down for Hector Bellerin if they come calling this Summer. If the Arsenal full back did indeed leave, it would be a devastating loss for the club.

For years, Arsenal have struggled to hold onto their best players. From the departure of Thierry Henry nearly a decade ago to the more recent transfer sagas of Robin Van Persie and Samir Nasri, Arsenal have often entered the Summer transfer window with a star player hosting lots of suitors.

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Over the past two years, Arsene Wenger has been able to be aggressive, bringing in Mesut Ozil, Alexis Sanchez and Petr Cech in consecutive transfer windows without having to lose any of his best players. However, with  recent reports that Mesut Ozil is stalling on a new deal, rumors that Alexis Sanchez is unsettled after Arsenal’s poor end to the year and musings that Theo Walcott will leave in favor of finding first team football, Wenger will have to navigate the transfer window with great care.

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One such player who has been subject of various rumors is right back Hector Bellerin, who most recently has been linked with Barcelona. It is a logical report, and is a worrying sign. Bellerin progressed through the Barcelona system as a youngster, was groomed by the Catalan club and was signed by Arsenal on a free transfer all the way back when another Barca graduate was returning to his hometown club after Arsenal picked him up on a free transfer at the tender age of 16.

If Barcelona’s interest is real, and they pursue Bellerin with any sort of enthusiasm this Summer, it would be tough for Bellerin to say no to such a successful and historic club. To play in a team with Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar is a honor that few players are lucky to have bestowed upon them. Bellerin could get that chance, and Arsenal would do well to hold on to him if such a scenario plays out.

The issue with such a report coming out for Arsenal is the integral aspect that Bellerin has on the team. Arsene Wenger’s system is notoriously tough on full backs, asking them to provide width and attacking flair when going forward without sacrificing defensive solidarity. Bellerin is excellent is such a demanding role due to his sheer pace and stamina.

He has the athletic ability to both support Arsenal’s attacking play without neglecting his defensive duties, his is positionally sound and has the pace to recover, a perfect compliment to Per Mertesacker, a player who severely lacks in this area.

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Furthermore, at the young age of 21, he is still developing, still learning the nuances of the position and is only going to get better. With Dani Alves most likely set to leave this Summer, Barcelona have a need at the position, Bellerin fills that need and a return to his boyhood is on the cards. Whether the move is completed remains to be seen, however, if it were, it could be a devastating move for Arsenal.