Arsenal: Massive Ramifications To Hector Bellerin Contract

Arsenal extended Hector Bellerin to a massive new deal and that is cause for celebration. But what are the ramifications of the deal?

Make no mistake about it, locking down Hector Bellerin is a very good piece of business. Without a doubt the diminutive Spaniard is one of Arsenal‘s best players and if he was allured by the bright lights of Barcelona and let go without a fight – the seemingly annual calls for Wenger’s job would have started early this season.

Related: Arsenal’s 30 Greatest Players Ever

Still, business has been done and all parties – the fans, the manager, the club, and with £100,000 a week, certainly the player himself. Modern football has become almost reliant on the attacking fullback to provide essential width with attacking midfielders slotting in more centrally.

With forwards, such as Sanchez, Walcott and Iwobi, Arsenal are blessed with pace up front but lightning quick full backs overlapping and delivering crosses and chances alike are always welcome. Just look at how integral and exciting players such as Dani Alves, Jordi Alba, Marcello and David Alaba have been to their respective teams.

If having one magical full back is a wonderful thing to have in modern day football, indeed a necessary thing if you really want to compete in the higher echelons of world football – and Arsenal should be competing, then two would be even better. Which is why Jaime Carraghers comments should be taken seriously.

Quote – “And the reason why is because, yes Oxlade-Chamberlain has gone to a full-back position, and I think even going forward, that could be a position he could look for. You think of how well Valencia’s done for Manchester United, similar type of player, powerful player, he’s got the energy to get up and down”

Oxlade Chamberlain who I still believe will be so important for Arsenal moving forward is still to find his niche. Wenger seems reluctant to start him in the wing position, which is why to gain more vital game time, the Ox could move back a position or two. Nacho Monreal is a good full back – but he doesn’t strike fear into opponents’ hearts.

More from Pain in the Arsenal

Per whoscored.com, Monreals 2016 season – in an attacking sense hasn’t been that inspiring. In the Premier League, he has averaged 0.3 shots per game, and 0.3 key passes per game. I don’t think defenders are losing much sleep. The truth is, there aren’t many natural full backs being churned out by academies; it still has a small stigma around it, I mean how many young players want to volunteer as a full back?

Arsenal signed Bellerin when he was a right midfielder and the Gunners defensive guru Steve Bould spent hours converting him into a right back. Bellerin himself has said that at the beginning he didn’t know how to defend, if Bould could do the same with an enthusiastic and regularly playing Oxlade-Chamberlain, the results could be majestic for Arsenal and destructive for others.

If this were to happen then players such as Carl Jenkinson and Kieran Gibbs would slip further down the pecking order, and with younger defenders such as Holding and Chambers waiting in the wings; one or both might choose to take their talents elsewhere.

Next: Wenger's 10 Worst Signings Ever

Everyone has seen the potential in Oxlade-Chamberlain for years, a change in scenery could do him good – this change would keep him in Arsenal colours and unleash arguably the most potent deep attacking threat in the game.

Home/Arsenal News