Arsenal: The Hector Bellerin run must start now

Hector Bellerin has stated that Arsenal must build on the momentum they have established in recent weeks. The run to chase the top of the table must start now.

Saturday’s results were far from kind for Arsenal. After a frustrating start to the season which saw away losses to Stoke City and Liverpool, the latter of which was a dismantling of humiliating proportions, the Gunners had already lost ground to their title rivals. After the weekend, they only slipped further behind.

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All of the other top five sides won their respective fixtures, leaving the Gunners nine points off the top of the table, a goal that they themselves set, however foolishly ambitious that may have been. They need to have a run of results that hauls them back into the running. And that is exactly what Hector Bellerin is pointing towards in the build-up to Monday night’s fixture with West Bromwich Albion.

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Speaking with Sky Sports, Bellerin highlighted the growing confidence and momentum within the squad, claiming that now is the time to build on their blossoming form:

"“Even before Chelsea, the games against Bournemouth and in the Europa League helped the team build up the momentum <…> It is all about keeping the momentum going. Yesterday [Wednesday], in the League Cup [ a 1-0 win against Doncaster Rovers], even though the team completely changed, I think the mood in the whole squad was the same. Everyone came out on the pitch to get the win and we have to keep building on this momentum right now and make it another win for us hopefully.”"

And Bellerin is absolutely spot on. Arsene Wenger’s side now face a schedule of fixtures that lends itself to a flourishing period of form, one that they must take advantage of.

Including West Brom’s trip to North London on Monday night, Arsenal face Brighton, Watford, Everton and Swansea in the next five games. Only West Brom and Watford are in the top half — their position in the table is slightly inflated because of the earliness of the season — and the Gunners will likely be the favourites for all five of these fixtures.

If, as they have protested themselves, Arsenal harbour hopes of a title challenge and potential title victory, then they must chase down the blistering starts of the Manchester clubs and Chelsea. Even Spurs and Liverpool have continued to win games, currently sitting four points ahead of the North London outfit, and are in better form than their apparent title rivals.

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Momentum is vital to enjoying a successful season. The effects of the toxicity of the Arsenal dressing room in the closing months of last year is the perfect counterproof to such a statement. Confidence, or the lack thereof, is important. As Bellerin points out, he and his teammates have the chance to further instil that steely confidence. They cannot miss that opportunity.