There’s a certain irony that Hector Bellerin could lift his first European trophy this week, against Chelsea. The same Chelsea he helped Arsenal beat twice in FA Cup finals during his decade in North London.
But there’s a cruel twist too. The 30-year-old is a doubt for Wednesday’s UEFA Europa Conference League Final with a knee injury. For a player whose career has been defined by both loyalty and misfortune, perhaps that sums it all up.
Bellerin gave Arsenal everything, but got little back
Signed from Barcelona at just 16, Bellerin grew from a teenager into a first-team regular at Arsenal. He made 239 appearances, played in the Champions League, and lifted three trophies. For many clubs, that would earn a player legend status.
Yet in Bellerin’s case, he became a lightning rod for fan frustration. While others were criticised for performances, Bellerin was mocked for being vegan, for modelling, for speaking up about climate change. His pledge to plant trees after victories was twisted into something to mock when the team lost.
To his credit, he was one of the first players at Arsenal to call out the abuse coming from platforms like AFTV, warning of the mental toll it could take on teammates.
And what did he really do wrong? Serious injuries robbed him of his pace, and in a club struggling for direction, he became the wrong player at the wrong time.
Arsenal let him go, but he never gave up
After a loan to Real Betis, where he won the Copa del Rey, Bellerin returned to find his future decided. Despite proving his fitness, he was effectively discarded by Mikel Arteta’s project. His contract was ripped up without a fee, with no attempt to rebuild his value.
From a business perspective, Arsenal gave rivals a blueprint: wait long enough, and they’ll loan or release anyone. From a human perspective, it hurt.
Bellerin joined Barcelona on a short-term deal and then moved to Sporting Lisbon. Between both clubs, he managed just 20 appearances. His body was suffering: ACL rupture, concussions, back issues, cracked ribs. Retirement could have been an easy out.
Instead, he went home, to Real Betis, where his father still lives. The club he supported as a boy gave him purpose again. And now, he’s on the brink of history, possibly lifting the club’s first ever European trophy.
Once a Gunner, always a Gunner
It takes serious mental strength to keep going when your boyhood club pays you to leave. But Bellerin never lashed out. He still speaks with affection about Arsenal. He will never say it, but we’ve not lifted a trophy since he burst down the wing at Wembley to start the move for our last FA Cup winner.
In that time, he could win a second trophy.
Many Gooners will be rooting for him on Wednesday. As for the minority who mocked him for caring about things beyond football, they deserve to watch him have the last laugh.
Good luck, Hector. Once a Gunner, always a Gunner!
Dan Smith
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It wasn’t only Arsenal fans who mocked his life-style and opinions. Just a load of very unpleasant people. It was terrible that he lost the pace that made him so devastating and was got rid of, but I doubt that he’ll be thinking in terms of “the last laugh”, he never was that sort of person.
Does “once a gunner always a gunner” applies to Emery too? I don’t see many praising his outstanding success since leaving Arsenal.
I I wish Hector all the best.
I always rated him highly and I appreciate his help in winning 2 FA Cups
As for Emery. I think if he had been given the same chance MA was given (keeping him for longer period), I think he would have done well.
He was basically forced to buy Pepe. He said that he wanted to sign Zaha at the time. I don’t think the higher ups trusted him
Bit odd then that they hired him in the first place Stephanie. He had a very good CV and all was rubbing along nicely until the latter stages of the season and the final. I started following JA in Emery’s second season and I don’t recall anyone suggesting that he should be given more time although lately it seems there has been a change of heart.
He clearly has good qualities – a trophy winner multiple times, but i just don’t think it was wise to give him longer. There was a terrible atmosphere around the club and he was unlikely, to say the least, able to change it to a good one.
I don’t think emery should have been given more time, I think the situation was unsavable because of the board situation and he really never had a chance (I think he’s too nice for an environment like that). If he’d joined at the time arteta did, and received the same level of backing, I don’t doubt he’d have done very well. That said, I’m not sure if he’d have done better than arteta has. I don’t know that he has the stuff to take us from close to actually winning the title – maybe.
3 Steph altogether
Hector Bellerin was his own man and that in itself is to be admired
Sadly, injuries ruined his future at Arsenal, and I wish him well and a trophy too.
@Sue P
Very well stated Sue. Respect…👏🏾
He was a loyal servant of our great club. I pray he wins tomorrow.
He’s not even on the bench. Is he injured ?
Yeah knee injury mate
Got hurt in semi final
Thesedays London roads and police are busy in trophy parades: Palace FA Cup + Spurs UEL + Chelsea Conf + and of course ARSENAL WOMEN UCL. 3 European titles!!! Huge achievement. Congrats the WINNERS!!!