It took a huge leap of faith for a 16-year-old Hector Bellerin to pack
his bags and swap his home city of Barcelona for north London. He
spoke the language only to school level, he knew no one in the capital
and had decided to walk away from the most famous and successful
academy in world football.
Four years later, the decision has been vindicated. Last season, the
Spaniard broke into the Arsenal team, established himself as the
club’s first choice right-back and ended the campaign dancing on the
Wembley pitch as an FA Cup winner.
Bellerin joined Arsenal in 2011 just when another La Masia product
was returning to Barcelona from the Emirates Stadium.
Cesc Fabregas, now at Chelsea, was booed by Arsenal supporters
during the Community Shield but they can thank him for providing
Bellerin with a reason to join the Gunners.
“He definitely was a big inspiration to me,” Bellerin tells Goal . “To see
someone else make the same move as me and be successful was really
important for me.
“To leave my family, friends, my city… to see that someone succeeded
was really important and showed that it could happen if you work
hard and want it enough.
“It’s definitely been a hard journey, lots of ups and downs. Moving to
London was a really hard thing for me, but I had a lot of support and
I’m really happy that I made that step and came here.
“I think all the work has paid off after such a great season to be
here now.”
Bellerin initially joined Arsenal as a right winger but after
conversations with Arsene Wenger and Steve Bould was converted to a
right-back before he signed his first professional contract in 2013.
After a spell on loan at Watford in 2013-14, injuries to Mathieu
Debuchy and Calum Chambers opened the door for Bellerin last season
and he didn’t look back. He made 28 appearances across all
competitions and was rewarded with a new long-term contract in July.
Bellerin will start against West Ham on Sunday as Arsenal begin their
Premier League campaign - and he admits that even he has been
surprised by his rapid rise.
“It’s been very special for me, it’s something I didn’t even expect at
all at the beginning of last season,” he says as he wears Arsenal's
new PUMA kit. “It’s been amazing, especially with the way that it
ended with the FA Cup trophy and I’m just really happy. I can’t wait
to start the new season and hopefully live the same experiences as
this one.
“For me, my first season was a big one and the fact we got the FA
Cup was a big thing, to feel and taste what it’s like to win a trophy
makes you want it more. We want to get more next season.
“To get that taste at such a young age makes you hungry to get
more trophies and I think we’ve got the right squad to do it. We just
need to make a bit better season than last season.”
One thing that stands out when Bellerin speaks, beyond his maturity
and ambition - he thinks he can challenge for a place in Spain’s
squad for Euro 2016 - is his flawless English. It is just another sign
of how well he has adapted on and off the pitch in this country.
“I came here with just my school level,” he says. “I got loads of help
from the family I used to live with and my team-mates.
“I think I adapted really well to the lifestyle and to London, a great
city. People tell me sometimes ‘you sound like a Cockney’ – I think it’s
a compliment!
“For people to see this Spanish lad who has come to England, I think
it is good not just to learn the language but to feel so adapted to the
club and the city.
“I’m loving it here and will just keep improving my English. Hopefully
one day I can speak like the Queen!”
One of Bellerin’s most impressive qualities is his speed, and he caused
a stir in the Arsenal changing room last year when he broke Theo
Walcott’s record for the club's fastest 40-metre sprint.
“Last year we had a test at the beginning of the season and the
numbers came up that I was the quickest player in the squad,”
Bellerin explains.
“Theo has always held that title so now there is always a bit of
banter between us about who is going to be the quickest next season.
I think he is working extra hard in the summer! It’s something that
for me is irrelevant, it matters if your speed helps the team during
the games.
“Theo would probably be quicker in short distances, but long distances
I am better.”
A more important challenge from within the squad this season will
come from Debuchy, a £12 million signing from Newcastle last summer
who missed most of the campaign with ankle and shoulder injuries.
“We’re going to have to fight for the spot,” Bellerin admits. “Now
when we’re both going to be playing, I’m sure it’s going to be such a
good fight and bring the best out of both of us.
“We’re going to try and help the team with our quality. I need to
keep working hard and cement my place in the starting line-up.”
Arsenal's home replica PUMA kit and training line is available now
online at www.puma.com and www.ArsenalDirect.com .
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