Arsenal’s defence has come in for intense criticism this season and rightly so. Under Unai Emery’s stewardship, the Gunners are yet to show any significant improvement defensively and the hope was that when the Spaniard had his first-choice backline to select from Arsenal would turn a corner.
The right-back position was especially problematic and despite Hector Bellerin’s return to fitness, the North London club continue to concede soft goals.
But it appears Bellerin’s popularity seems to be waning with some sections of the fan-base, particularly these supporters who have branded the 24-year-old as ‘overrated’ and ‘overhyped’.
Bellerin performance < bellerin PR I’d take pereirra from Leicester over him tbh
— Shalle_guuun (@Nuradin46546657) November 15, 2019
Overrated. Overhyped during his time out being injured. Decent going forward but part of the many problems that is our defence. #AFC
— William Saliba (@Arsenal4Ever26) November 15, 2019
Defending tutorials are available on YouTube
— Just Tony (@whodisqamar) November 15, 2019
«You’re not fit to wear the shirt!»
— k? (@nabykeixta) November 15, 2019
He’s not all that anymore, 1 year out makes a big difference.
— Jon Snow (@Slaybeats) November 15, 2019
For what? Bang average player who hasn’t stepped up to the next level of his game. If he wasn’t from the academy he’d be a nobody, stop praising players who don’t deserve the praise for underperforming time and time again.
— ?Smokey? (@ItzArsenal420) November 15, 2019
What do we think?
Anybody who figured Bellerin’s return was going to instantly solve the Gunners defensive troubles was sadly mistaken. Arsenal’s defensive issues run far deeper than just one individual. Taking in to account the fact Bellerin is still on his way to regaining full-fitness having suffered a serious knee injury in January, it would have been wishful thinking to believe he was going to be at the top of his game from the minute he returned to the squad.
The Spaniard has featured just once in the Premier League this season and will need time to get up-to-speed whilst managing what is effectively the later-stages of the recovery process.