Arsenal and Hector Bellerin: The obvious thing the right thing

Hector Bellerin is set to miss the start of next season as he continues to rehab from a torn ACL. For Arsenal, the obvious thing is to take it slow, remain patient, and play the long game. It is also the right thing.

Hector Bellerin was enjoying one of his best seasons at Arsenal before an ACL tear harshly ended his season early. After two down years in which his performances were blighted by injury and a lack of fitness, it was refreshing to see the Spaniard bound up and down the right flank with his quintessential pace and athleticism.

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So for the latter part of his campaign to be scuppered by one of the most prevalent serious injuries in the game is rather disappointing, and it could yet damage future prospects at the club.

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A report from the London Evening Standard on Tuesday confirmed that Bellerin is expected to miss the first few weeks of the season. It is not a setback in the recovery. Bellerin is simply closer to the back end of his recovery timetable, nine months, than the front, six months. It was initially hoped that he might be ready for the season opener, but that was always a little optimistic, as has now been realised.

Consequently, Unai Emery now has a decision to make regarding how he uses Bellerin and navigates the right-back position in the opening period of next season. Does he look to reintroduce him to the starting XI as quickly as possible with the reserve options not the most convincing or does he play a more patient game and veer away from risking aggravating the injury?

Really, the answer is obvious. Don’t rush him back. He has only just turned 24, is still viewed as a key player for the long-term future of the team, and losing the first few weeks of the seasons is not exactly terminal for the remainder of the campaign.

Moreover, with Ainsley Maitland-Niles still around and Emery’s tactical flexibility suggesting that he will prepare his team in a 3-5-2 or 3-4-3 with wing-backs means that Arsenal should be able to deal with Bellerin’s absence for a short period.

Even if Bellerin is unable to play for the first month or two of the season, while that would obviously not be ideal, it is better to play the long game, preserve his long-term availability and ensure that he is fully fit.

We have seen plenty of clubs rush players back. Rarely does it go well. Now Arsenal have that very decision to make, and as with many things, the obvious call is the right one.