Arsenal: Hector Bellerin finally gives us a reason to care again

Arsenal’s threats were numerous against CSKA Moscow, and for the first time in awhile, Hector Bellerin counted himself among them. About time.

We’ve been waiting all year to see Hector Bellerin enter the same level of consistent player that we have seen in years past. With his future at Arsenal ever up for question, it had even gotten to the point where I was left shrugging and asking myself if it was really that important if he stayed or left.

Well, against CSKA Moscow, I finally found a reason to care again. Granted, it was against a shoddy team, who employed a left wingback that had no business stopping Bellerin, but you have to learn to crawl before you learn to walk, yeah?

It may well have been the first time this season where I got excited when Bellerin got the ball. Naturally I got excited when Aaron Ramsey or Mesut Ozil touched it, but Bellerin was counted at that level of threat all match.

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It was a hell of a lot of fun. He actually looked fast again, closing down on defense and running circles around the opposing defense. He combined well with Ozil and Ramsey, who often found their way to his side and, when called upon, he sent convincing balls into the box, penetrated to find space and played smart passes.

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He nabbed an assist in the 8th minute on one of those many convincing balls, which found its way all the way to a perfectly placed (as usual) Ramsey, who tucked it away.

I can’t emphasize enough how important it is that there was confidence when Bellerin touched the ball. I’m sad to say normally I dread it. I hate to see him slow down play, look timid and uninterested and as such, a shade of his former self.

That was simply not the case against Moscow. He looked like the same young man that had to fight to keep the starting role from Mathieu Debuchy all those years ago and while I again have to say that it was only CSKA Moscow, you can only beat what’s in front of you.

And if we’re talking about confidence, this will do a world of good for someone who may well have been lacking in it on the pitch.

Next: 5 Things Learned Against CSKA Moscow

Whatever the case, I’m both thrilled and bummed that I now have to worry about his future again. He just had to deliver such a telling reminder.