How Hector Bellerin has fared at right-back? by SE
Hector Bellerin has been fortunate to have made so many first-team appearances this season, though none of us can take anything away from the promise he showed even before the ongoing season began. He was one of the star players for Arsenal during the Emirates cup, when he ran the Benfica rearguard ragged and showed how good a player going forward he can be. He has been fortunate to have had so many options because of Mathieu Debuchy’s ankle sprain and dislocated shoulder injuries that have restricted the French right-back to just 11 appearances in his first season as an Arsenal player. In his absence, how has Bellerin fared at right-back?
In 12 Premier League appearances so far, Bellerin’s stats suggest that he has been a better defender than we have presumed on the basis of his performances. The 20-year old Spaniard has won 56% of his 39 attempted tackles and 44% of his aerial duels. Being a short man, it is understandable that Bellerin is not good at winning balls in the air, as a Laurent Koscielny or Per Mertesacker tend to. Bellerin has also made 27 interceptions, 44 clearances and 2 blocks during close to 15 hours of Premier League action. He also has committed 8 fouls in 12 league appearances, 3 of which have resulted in yellow cards.
Bellerin has been impressive in an attacking sense, too. He has created 6 chances from open play, scoring 1 goal that came against Aston Villa at the Emirates and completing 80% of his attempted passes. With his speed and ability to go past defenders, Bellerin has completed 56% of his 27 attempted take-ons in the Premier League.
In 4 UEFA Champions League appearances this season, starting with the game against Borussia Dortmund at the Signal Iduna Park, Bellerin has been solid at right-back. He won an impressive 15 of his 18 attempted tackles and 5 of his 6 aerial duels, both in a defensive as well in an offensive sense. Bellerin also completed 80% of his attempted passes and enjoyed a success rate of 90% in 10 attempted take-ons, indicating the command he had over his playing position. His most impressive Champions League game this season happened to be against AS Monaco at home which, unfortunately, his side went onto lose.
For a player of such a young age and tenuous physique, Bellerin has done exceedingly well to make 18 appearances across all competitions, not commit a defensive error and produce great quality while going forward. Playing in the big games hasn’t bothered him, either, and he looks to be a really promising player for Arsenal in the years to come.
Suhith
Bellerin is already a boss at rightback
You’ve just listed his stats and basically told everyone reading to assume they’re good. How about some comparative analysis to the best fullbacks in the league/Europe?
Wins 56% of his tackles….no idea how to interpret that number, if most fullbacks average 70% then it’s crap, conversely if most average 40% it’s good. CONTEXT.
To be a good full back these days, you need additional skills like crossing and finishing. Thats the difference with a good fullback and a world class full back. If you are doing neither, you might as well become a CD like Sergio Ramos.
He needs to look up to players like Alves, Roberto Carlos, Ivanovic, Baines, Lahm. Bellerin has the speed and technique, if he improves his crossing, Giroud will score 5-10 more goals in the future.
Holla bellerin is gonna be our long-term right back marshal
I think he is the next big thing from our academy since cesc f%%king fabregas.
can we have a left footed bellerin in our LB??
my last say is: I see him playing RW in the future. BALE in form of BELL.
What I love about Bellerin is his pace. Arsene’s style of play is to have both full-backs attack high up the pitch, as our wide forwards cut inside – this has often caused us huge problems on the counter-attack. Because of his pace, Bellerin is better suited, and a better option defensively than Debuchy because he can get back into a defensive position much quicker, and before any real damage is done.