Arsenal star Hector Bellerin has been quoted in the press with nothing but positive words for Manchester City, their manager Pep Guardiola and assistant coach Mikel Arteta, which I watched on the best ace stream around, where I watch all my matches and interviews.
The full-back has risen to prominence since making the step-up to the Gunners first-team back in 2014, and has even earned a call-up to the Spanish senior side, a rare occurrence for players situated outside of La Liga.
Interest has since come in for his signature from both Manchester City and Barcelona, while other clubs have also been linked. The Gunners reacted to this by tying him down to a new six-and-a-half year deal back in November, giving them a huge amount of control even if he should push to leave.
This season has been a torrid one for our club and with us on course to finish outside the Champions League places for the first time in forever, as well as with Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez looking likely departures this summer, Bellerin may also be considering his future.
His latest comments are a painful read for any Gunner, as he talks of motivation from our rival’s manager, as well as talking up his relationship with now City assistant manager Mikel Arteta.
He said: “I know there has been interest from City, it’s a compliment.
“That a coach like Guardiola wants you in his ranks is very nice, that is what motivates me even more, a sign that things are going well, but I still have a long way to go and to improve.”
In an interview with Mundo Deportivo, Bellerin insists former Arsenal teammate Arteta never pushed him to switch clubs when he joined Guardiola’s backroom team last summer.
“Mikel is a very honest person, he never wanted to take me there,” he said. “He knows what is best for me, Arteta is very special to me, he has been like a second father, he helped me a lot when I arrived at Arsenal, on and off the pitch.
“I have a lot of affection and respect for him.
“At the moment I’m very happy where I am, focused on finishing the season, and the U21s, at Arsenal and then what comes, will come.”
Would Bellerin asking to leave be the final nail in the coffin for our club? Could Ozil, Sanchez and Bellerin lead a mass exodus which forces a mass overhaul? That might not be the worst thing in the long run…
P