Arsenal right-back Hector Bellerin made his first Premier League start of the season at the King Power Stadium on Saturday evening. The Spaniard, who suffered a cruciate knee ligament injury ten months ago was many people’s choice for captain but his condition is of real concern to those who watch the team regularly.
Bellerin, who is valued at £36 million (Transfermarkt), has looked off-the-pace, rusty and appears to lack the sharpness that saw him become a main-stay in the side at such a young age.
Most of the supporters had some form of sympathy for the 24-year-old given he’s missed so much football but there are those who insist he has never been good enough for the Arsenal.
He has in every single game he’s played this season, regardless of the opposition.
— Philippe Auclair (@PhilippeAuclair) November 9, 2019
ACL victim here. It takes a long time to get your agility and explosiveness back even after being cleared to play. You feel like you have a peg leg. We’re gonna have to be patient with both of them.
— AFC Cormac (@LoftusCormac) November 9, 2019
Looks like he’s lost 5 yards. He isn’t ready.
— ClarenceA-A (@ClarenceAA) November 9, 2019
Since he’s come back he just looks lacking in pace. Seems the injury has really effected his speed and he’s struggling to adapt his game to that loss.
— Nat Ireton (@PlayerState) November 9, 2019
He’s been terrible since he’s come back. Never exactly been good enough for us anyway, wouldn’t get close to any other top sides
— ?Smokey? (@ItzArsenal420) November 9, 2019
Far from fit.
— Sul (@saul_gooner) November 9, 2019
What do we think?
It was always going to take some time for Bellerin to get up to speed. Arsenal fans appeared to be under the impression that once he and Rob Holding returned to fitness, all the team’s defensive issues would be solved but most failed to factor in that the pair have been missing for the best part of a year.
Bellerin’s appearances prior to Saturday were limited to Carabao Cup and Europa League games in which you could argue the intensity was nowhere near the level Arsenal were going to face at Leicester. The reality is, the Gunners’ defensive troubles are down to their tactical ineptitude rather than fitness. Even prior to the defenders return they had conceded 15 goals in 12 games.