He has already proved to the Arsenal fans that he had a big appetite for a fight, a desire to show what he can do in the toughest league in the world and a very strong character to go with the bundles of talent that were nurtured in two of the best academy systems in the world and now Hector Bellerin has got another gold star on his report.
The precocious Spanish right back, whose performances for the Gunners last season got us out of a very tricky injury situation and catapulted him into the limelight, earning him a call up to the senior Spain national team as well, has been increasingly linked with a return to his boyhood club Barcelona.
We have had good reason to worry as well after losing the likes of Thierry Henry, Fabregas and Hleb to the Catalan giants in recent years. Bellerin, however, is happy where he is and has spoken out about his love for his new club, as reported by ESPN.
In fact he made it clear that it was his choice to come to north London in the first place, not a second choice after not making the grade with Barcelona. He also did his chances of cementing the regular first team place ahead of Mathieu Debuchy no harm at all by revealing that the chance of working with Arsene Wenger was a major part of his decision.
Bellerin said, “If I’d wanted to play there, I would have stayed there in the first place. 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 time.
“The moment Arsenal said they wanted me and I chatted to the boss, saw the training ground and where I was going to live, my mind was made up. I had no doubts.
“Playing for Barcelona’s academy team and breaking all kinds of records was a great experience for me, but then I had the chance to catch the Arsenal train and I took it.
“The idea of playing for one of the biggest clubs in the Premier League was a real attraction, but it was the idea of working for Arsene Wenger which really sold the idea to me.
“I know he is a man who likes to bring up young players and I knew if I was doing well that he would give me the chance, and that is how it has turned out.
“He told me that if I worked hard and made the right progression then I could play for the first team. He showed faith in me and I am happy I have been able to justify his trust.”
The report also claims that Bellerin is on the verge of putting his signature on a new long term Arsenal contract so it looks like ww will all have many happy years riding the Arsenal train.