Arsenal: Hector Bellerin and Alex Iwobi prove the same point

We often believe that the development of young players is a linear, step-by-step process. But it isn’t. And in Alex Iwobi and Hector Bellerin, Arsenal have two examples that perfectly prove it.

As humans, we like logic, rationale, patterns, sequences that simply make sense. We want straight lines, not wonky ones. It is no coincidence that modern cities are built with blocks in mind. Our mind maps things out as such, and so it makes sense to play to that way of thinking.

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But in building a city, it is humans who are the architect. We are the author. We can design every aspect of it, every minute detail, tailoring it to the way that we think. But there are some things that are not so logical, not so easy to understand or explain, not so linear, and we still try to project our patternised thinking onto such processes and occurrences.

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In football, it is the development of young players. We often believe that it is a simple plugin and play equation. A player has talent. He begins to break into the squad. Then he improves a little and establishes himself as a rotational option. Then he improves again and becomes a starter. Then he improves again and blossoms into a fully-fledged star. We think like that because it makes sense in our minds. We are programmed as such. But actually, that is not even close to what happens, and Arsenal have two perfect examples.

Hector Bellerin’s full debut came against Borussia Dortmund in September 2014. It was a 2-0 loss that should have four or five. Bellerin was far from the worst Arsenal player on the pitch, though his inexperience was routinely exploited by a blistering Dortmund that out-shot the Gunners 23 to five. It was a tough start to life for the Catalunian. But fast forward a year, with Mathieu Debuchy injured, Bellerin was the starting right-back and making his talent known. Fast forward two years, and he was being included in the Spain squad for the 2016 Euros.

In the same 2015/16 season that Bellerin made his inexorable potential unavoidable, Alex Iwobi was busy bursting onto the scene with an astonishing display against Barcelona in March 2016. It was his Champions League debut. Many eyebrows were raised when Arsene Wenger decided to risk him. But risk him he did. Iwobi flourished.

But since that time, neither Iwobi nor Bellerin have pushed on as expected. Injuries, of course, have scuppered both’s development, with Bellerin struggling through the 2016/17 season with an ankle injury and Iwobi unfortunate enough to never be afforded a consistent run in the team due to a mire of fitness problems. And crises of confidence came for both players, especially Iwobi.

And now, two years on from the summer in which there were few who doubted the bright futures that awaited both players, it is difficult to argue that either is better now than what they were then. In our rational, linear minds, that seems extremely concerning. And to some extent, there is something to be worried about. Questions need to be asked. But also, patience must be shown.

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Bellerin is still only 23; Iwobi a year younger than that. Time is on their side. And in this horribly unpredictable and varying world of development, both require investment, loyalty, patience and encouragement. Their progression is not linear, even if we desperately want it to be.