Arsenal: 5 players with important contract situations to sort out

Hector Bellerin

Witnessing the worst 30 minutes of football by an Arsenal side this season followed by possibly the best 45 minutes of an Arsenal side this season, the omission of Hector Bellerin from the squad that drew 3-3 with West Ham despite being fit flew somewhat under the radar.

Mikel Arteta opted to leave his countryman out in favour of Calum Chambers and Cedric Soares, a move that while potentially just a one-off, signalled what may well be the nail in the coffin for the right-back’s Gunners future.

That isn’t to say Bellerin won’t have an important role to play between now and the end of the season, and he may well be the starting full-back for the rest of the Europa League campaign, but Arteta clearly sees benefits in the other two options that the long-serving vice-captain can’t offer.

Being convinced to remain in north London by Arteta in the previous summer, the growing speculation of Bellerin wanting a fresh challenge at this stage of his career, Arsenal seeking to cash in on certain assets and a general feeling that this long-standing relationship has run its course all point strongly to this being his final few fixtures at the club.

While tinged with sentiment and a degree of sadness, it’s the right move for all parties. Arsenal can earn more money for Bellerin than any other player free to leave.