Mikel Arteta says that Hector Bellerin went through a difficult period in his career after suffering an ACL rupture, but after two assists today helped us to a 2-1 win over Sheffield United, the Arsenal boss believes he’s being rewarded for the hard work he’s putting in.
There was talk that the 25 year old might leave the club this summer, however he’s performed well this season, and Arteta revealed that extra work behind the scenes is playing a part in dispelling the doubts he had.
“There are no secrets,” he said, “he’s demanding all the time to do more individual work, to improve in the final third.
“He’s doing a lot of reviews, a lot of individual defensive work as well in things that he has to improve. When you do that, you get rewarded.
“Maybe it’s not going to happen in the first week or the first month but over time, he’ll improve.
“He had a difficult period because he was doubting himself in his head with the amount of time that he’s been here, a lot of things have been happening in the background.
“I trust him, I know him really well and I know how much he can still improve. He’s showing every day that he’s willing to do it. I’m pleased because I really like him.”
The injury, which kept him out for 10 months, and from which there were other smaller niggles which hampered him last season, was something Arteta feared would lead to Bellerin seeking pastures new for a clean start, but is delighted he has his compatriot to call on.
Asked if he was worried Bellerin might depart, he said, “Yes, because I understand that after such a long time at the club, and a lot of things that happened in that trajectory of his development, that he doubted whether he was still OK to continue here, what ambitions he had here, how he can evolve here.
“But what I liked is that he came to me and said, ‘I can see what we are trying to do here and I’m convinced it’s the right place for me’. Then when you close that window, you can open the next one.
“He was a completely different player that I could see in training with his energy level as well, and his willingness to work a little bit more all of the time.
“We need to keep him fit as well, that’s one of the issues he’s had in the last few years because he’s been really unlucky with injuries. You want to have that consistency and at this level of performance, you have to be fit.
“There’s no other way.”
afc_bell ❤️
The problem with this squad is that when it comes to transfers there are two very distinct categories:
Those that we can’t wait to see the back of and those that it would break our hearts for them to leave.
Hector comfortably comes into the second category.
I know you’ve got to break eggs to make an omelette but I just wish we could break some of the bad eggs that are stinking up the fridge.
Love seeing Bellerin returning to his best form. Top guy, top footballer.
Class act on and off the pitch. Would’ve been a shame to lose his quality and dressing room influence. Keep him fit and firing Arteta!
Loving the way the boss talks about the game, our players and the method to become better. We are lucky to have this guy as our Manager. Long may it continue!
This might be the first ever day we’ve won a match and I’ve got as much, if not more, enjoyment out of, not one, but two other games of football on the same day.
Hehehe it’s been a weird day today. I
It really has. And anyone throwing hate at me for enjoying a Sp*rs win didn’t see Ole’s face when the sixth went in. It was like the reverse of a caterpillar turning into a butterfly.
So let’s just condense the first FOUR games of the new season…
Leicester beat Man City 5-2 and then got hammered at home to West Ham. Tottenham couldn’t beat Newcastle or Everton at home and then pulverise United at OT. Chelsea come back from three down to draw 3-3 with WBA. And Villa are 7-2 up against Liverpool.
Finally the football has caught up with the rest of the world and gone totally insane.
Did anyone see the best defender in the world getting torn apart by Grealish?
With all the crazy results today, it’s a great time to be a football fan.
Grealish always reminds me of Wilshere.
We live in interesting times as they say. I suspect things will settle down a little, whatever that means, by Christmas. If so, we’ll probably get a better idea if it’s “business as usual” or “hello, new kids on the block” at the top of the PL. I wonder if we’ll be in the latter group?
Absolutely and any talk of an unbeaten season quickly extinguished even before it started!
Don’t count your chickens, we still need to keep an eye on Everton…
The same can be said of anyone expecting Everton to go unbeaten the whole season!
They maybe able to do a Leicester but to do The Arsenal?!
A remarkable day for the Spuds and Villa. No doubt about that. Now, if only we could do something similar at City that really would be something to enjoy, wouldn’t it!
Well I hope arteta will play with a 4231 formation from now on….
……………..Leno
Bellerin Gabriel Luis Tierney
….Ceballos-THE SIGNING!
………….Willian/ANOTHER SIGNING!
……….Pepe PEA Saka
That is the most 4223 looking 4231 I’ve ever seen
Would have been foolish in the extreme to have sold him. Particularly as we have only just strengthened with Tierney bringing balance on the opposite flank and AMN still is NOT 100% convincing. It would also mean we would hold back on selling KIolasinac. BUT more importantly, it was a reflection of our inability to sell bc we do not have an experience enough transfer team and this has in many ways impacted our ability to bid for Aouar or Partey. 20m for Martinez is all we can show for with Torreira going out for nothing along with Guendouzi. Maybe… Read more »
Good assists by Bellerin for both goals today. He pushes forward better this season because we are providing him with better support.
This is one of the reasons we signed Willian bc his off ball cover is better
But good show today by Pepe coming on to score the goal. He was also doing several runs off ball which we should have capitalised on more.
The key for Pepe though is consistency. Jury still out whether he has turned the corner. Lets hope so. High cost at 72m otherwise.