Arsenal: Mid-Season player rankings

5. Hector Bellerin

Hector Bellerin most certainly lost his way last season. He entered the year with the expectation that he would continue his meteoric rise to one of the very best full-backs in world football. But a loss of form, an ailing ankle injury, and a crisis of confidence eventually led to his starting role being inherited by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. Bellerin was benched.

But with Chamberlain now gone, Bellerin has since come to the fore once again. Starting the year solidly, perhaps as he found his feet as a starter once more, he has grown in assuredness with each and every performance. Defensively, he is reliable. Offensively, his searing pace still causes great problems, and in the wing-back role, he is freed to bomb forward as much as he wishes.

Bellerin is rediscovering his best form. That is lovely to see, and it serves the future well. He is still an integral part of this team. He is very much needed. Let’s hope that he can continue to impress throughout the year.

(Andy: 5th; Josh: 5th)