UPDATE: Hector Bellerin has signed a brand new, long-term deal.
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According to various sources, Hector Bellerin is closing in on a new long-term deal with Arsenal after his breakthrough season into the first team.
The Spaniard has been a revelation in the right back role for the Gunners has become a major asset to the club. He has been incorporated into Wenger’s plans after Mathieu Debuchy’s injury woes and Calum Chambers failing to prove himself as a right back.
He is set to fight for his place in the starting XI now that Debuchy is fit and healthy.
The 20-year-old discussed his past year with the Gunners which was a very pleasant one. He was particularly impressed and satisfied with the fact that he inscribed his name as a regular.
“Last year was crazy for me,” said Bellerin. “It was a beautiful year. I’ve played 30 games with the first team and I don’t consider myself one of the main players. But to be a regular in the first has been a great achievement. I am really happy and proud.”
The player also hailed competition as a catalyst for good performances and touched on how competition motivates the players for better displays.
“Competition between players is always good. If you don’t have competition you relax and never improve. The fact we have three or four players who can play at right-back makes it better. It’s down to the boss.”
Bellerin also shared how difficult it was to leave his hometown and loved ones but insisted that he is keen on staying and playing with the Gunners for a long time. This comes as a reassurance for Arsenal fans, who saw ex-Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas longing to return and play for Barcelona. Fabregas’ case is similar to Bellerin’s since both men came from Barcelona at a similar age and tried to prove themselves on Arsenal’s grounds.
“If I’d wanted to play there, I would have stayed there in the first place,” said Bellerin. “The fact that I came to Arsenal means that I want to play here.
“The job has just started and I am not thinking of going anywhere else. I just want to cement my place in the first team, get more games and hopefully stay for a long.”
