Arsenal Vs Chelsea: Hector Bellerin beginning to blossom again

Hector Bellerin was nearing his best form during Arsenal’s 0-0 draw with Chelsea. After a frustrating and injury-scuppered year last year, the Spaniard is beginning to blossom once again.

Last season was a difficult one for Hector Bellerin. After coming off a flourishing year where he built on his substantial talent to establish himself as one of the brightest young defenders in the Premier League, thanks to inconsistencies and injuries, he failed to continue his development, eventually falling behind the now-departed Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in the Arsenal pecking order as Arsene Wenger shifted to a 3-4-3 formation to close out the year.

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That was somewhat concerning, especially considering his exuberant abilities are perfectly tailored to a wing-back role in which he can maraud up and down the flank to his heart’s content.

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But, without providing excuses for him – the protected and pampered modern footballer does not need any more opportunities to be excused for – Bellerin was dealing with an ankle injury that clearly restricted his primary asset: his burst.

For all of his positional intelligence, his improved end-product and subtle and neat first touch, Bellerin’s key trait, on which his game leans on, is his sheer athleticism. More than simple speed, Bellerin boasts the seemingly unending stamina and boundless energy to partner such searing pace. Moreover, his balance is sharp, his turning-circle short and quickness in short areas every bit as impressive as his longer-distance swiftness. And without such physical and athletic traits thanks to an ailing ankle that hindered his explosion and his thrust when turning and powering forwards, Bellerin was unable to maintain the high level of performance that had come to be expected of him.

However, playing in the right wing-back role on Sunday, Bellerin began to show signs that he was rounding back into his most vibrant form. Playing with more discipline than usual – it was a clear instruction from Arsene Wenger for the team –, Bellerin defended stoutly, tracked the advanced runs of Marcos Alonso when needed, and was even able to threaten going the other way, surging past his fellow Spaniard on two occasions in the first half, setting up Danny Welbeck and then Alexandre Lacazette for good opportunities.

Although this was far from a perfect display from Bellerin – as the game drew to a close, his energy levels clearly decreased a little as he stopped blocking crosses as regularly and was beat by Alonso on a couple of occasions –, there plenty of signs to be positive about.

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Bellerin is, slowly, beginning to blossom again. And if he can rediscover his very best throughout the year, then Arsenal will be a far more vibrant and dangerous team.