Arsenal: Arsene Wenger should tell Hector Bellerin to stuff it

Hector Bellerin has reportedly told Arsene Wenger that he wants to leave. Wenger should tell the Arsenal full-back to stuff it, ensuring that he can get the best price for his services.

Given the endless optimism of fans, especially in the transfer window, rumours, media discussion, blogs, and even the debates down the pub, tend to focus on the potential incomings, the wonderful talents of world-class players who are set to come in and ignite the squad, especially for a club that are littered with stagnating players like Arsenal.

However, it is often the retention of players, the extension of their stay and the continuity that it provides that allows clubs to build formidable squads, only adding complimentary pieces to an established and entrenched core. That is exactly what Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City, the three most successful teams of the past decade, have done.

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It is also what Arsene Wenger has been able to do. During the more difficult years of his tenure, he was consistently fighting against the tide of departure. Each and every summer, a key contributor was leaving. Thierry Henry, Emmanuel Adebayor, Kolo Toure, Cesc Fabregas, Samir Nasri, Robin van Persie. The names roll off the tongue, each one more damaging and dismantling than the previous one.

But more recently, he has built his squad around Laurent Koscielny, Olivier Giroud, Santi Cazorla, Mesut Ozil, and has not had to replace any key member of his squad. Or at least that has been the case. After another disappointing season in which the club’s Champions League status was not retained, there are several players who could leave, including Alexis Sanchez, Ozil and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Another who has been linked with an exit is Hector Bellerin. The full-back has been torn amid intense interest from his former club, Barcelona, unable to decide whether he wants to honour Wenger and Arsenal, or return to the Catalan club, with a far greater chance of challenging for titles, trophies, European honours, and establishing himself as one of Europe’s foremost players.

Per an exclusive report from The Sun, he has made his mind up: Bellerin has told Wenger that he wants to leave this summer. To that, Wenger should say ‘Stuff it!’ Per the same report, that is what Wenger replied, and while harsh and business-like, it would be a wise and astute move.

Bellerin is a crucial player that Arsenal must keep at the club. He has a flourishing career ahead of him, is still only 22, and has the talent to command a substantial fee in the future. Should Wenger simply lie down here, then he would be costing the club, both in the monetary sense and in the playing sense.

Next: Arsenal: 3 players to sell to fund Alexandre Lacazette

Bellerin may want to leave, but the Gunners must play hardball with him. He is just too good, too valuable to be allowed to leave easily.

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