Club captain Mikel Arteta has lauded fellow Spaniard Hector Bellerin for the “perfect development” he has made over the past year.
It was only a year ago that Bellerin was thrown into the gauntlet of Dortmund away, where he admittedly struggled – but Arteta, speaking to Arsenal Player, says that the youngster began to “build his game, his confidence”, so much so that he has secured the much sought after “first choice” right back, ahead of experienced international Mathieu Debuchy.
He credits Bellerin’s “technical ability” for his rise to prominence, labelling him “very quick” as well, but not forgetting the mental aspects of the game, Arteta was quick to praise how Bellerin is “mentally”, calling the full-back “intelligent” and able to “deal with situations”; high praise from a player who is personally known for his gamesmanship.
Tipping the Spaniard to represent his country in the near future, even going so far as being “one of the better right backs in Spain”, he warns Bellerin not to get caught up in ‘second season syndrome’, as many a talent have, saying he needs to “prove himself again”, as people will now be “expecting things from him”, as opposed to his surprise emergence last time around.
Not forgetting Arsenal’s deputy right back, Arteta backs Debuchy to “put pressure” on the Spaniard as long as he is “consistent” for “a long time”, before praising the Frenchman’s attacking verve, commenting that he “is not afraid of anything”.
