Arsenal: Hector Bellerin Departure A Major Concern

Reports from The Times state that both Manchester City and Barcelona are interested in signing him. His potential departure is a major concern for Arsenal.

For many years, Arsenal had regressed into the state of a selling club. After the triumphs of a team headlined by the likes of Thierry Henry, Patrick Viera and Robert Pires, the financial restrictions of moving to a new stadium, the fears over a debilitating squad as a consequence of these lack of funds saw many of the better players in the squad move to pastures new.

This rather depressing pattern continued for nearly a decade. Initially, it was formerly great players coming to the latter stages of the career; Henry and Viera are prime examples. However, as time passed, so did the utility of the players departing. Soon it was key players still in the prime of their careers moving on; Cesc Fabregas, Robin Van Persie and Alex Song.

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Arsene Wenger was unable to replace the quality that had departed, forced to develop youngsters, rather than the spend the big bucks necessary. However, more recently, the pattern of selling has subsided for one of prudent, carefully planned and prepared spending, but spending nonetheless.

Wenger has brought Mesut Ozil, Alexis Sanchez and Petr Cech to the Emirates in three consecutive summer transfer windows, all in big money moves. The better players already in North London, the likes of Santi Cazorla, Laurent Koscielny and Aaron Ramsey have stayed with the club, and now the team are on the verge of challenging for league titles once more.

That it is why, then, the Gunners must be deliberate and effective in holding onto their talented stars. One such player is Hector Bellerin, who’s contract runs out in the summer of 2019. The Times has recently suggested that both Barcelona and Manchester City are interested in trying to prize away the phenomenal right back from the Emirates.

If any deal was to be completed, it would be devastating for what is undoubtedly a building Arsenal squad. Bellerin, at only 21, is one of the best young defenders in the Premier League right now, and if his development proceeds as expected, then will soon be one of the very best defenders in the world.

Having grown up in the Barcelona ranks, under the guidance of Pep Guardiola, Bellerin may be interested in a move to either his former club or the one where his former coach now presides, and Arsenal need to act fast to prevent any potential move from developing. There are reports of a five-year contract having been offered to the Spaniard. It would certainly be a wise move for the Gunners to lock him up for as long as they possibly can.

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Bellerin is a key member of this side, and keeping him at the Emirates is of the utmost importance. More than just his play on the field – still a significant reason to keep the 21-year-old – the statement of keeping the best players at the club is a powerful one. Arsenal are no longer a selling club, and in the case of Bellerin, they must prove that statement true once more.

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