Following the injury to Mathieu Debuchy on Saturday which ruled him out of the traveling party to Dortmund, and doubts over the fitness of Calum Chambers ahead of the Champions League match against Borussia Dortmund tonight, it being confirmed that reserve right back Hector Bellerin is in the starting eleven for the match with Jurgen Klopp’s side.
It caps a remarkable last few months for the 19 year old who was promoted to the first team squad this season, while the more experienced Carl Jenkinson was sent on loan to West Ham United.
It is a remarkable rise for Hector Bellerin, and his start in tonights match sit well with Arsene Wenger’s comments on Monday evening in Dortmund where he praised the young Catalan in great measure. The Frenchman had insight of the possibility of including him in the starting eleven coming by his comments:
(Hector) Bellerin, who I think now is ready to play.
‘He (Bellerin) is a boy with personality. He’s not fazed by the pressure. That’s important when you’re a young boy. His transitional game is fantastic.
‘He’s quick and his final ball is good. He lacks a bit of experience but he’s very dangerous.”
With his start tonight, it means he is making his first competitive start for Arsenal. His only first team appearance for Arsenal came against West Brom in Capital One Cup last season when he was appeared as a substitute for Mikel Arteta in a match that went to extra time in September, 2013.
What it means is that Arsenal would be playing a natural right back in the Spanish player who arrived from Barcelona in 2011.
It remains to be seen how he deals with the pressure of playing in the Signal Iduna Park tonight. Arsene Wenger mentioned that he is not a player who is afraid to get stuck in, and he is not fazed by the pressure that comes with playing in the highest level.
If his performance against Benfica at the Emirates Cup is anything to go by, then Arsenal fans could expect a lot from him in tonight’s match. As an attacking full back, many would expect him to join the attack when the opportunity arises. He has the pace to cover the entire right wing, and with Per Mertesacker playing by his side, he is expected to receive guidance from Arsenal’s vice captain.
The involvement of Hector Bellerin tonight is Arsene Wenger going for youth over experience in the person of Mathieu Flamini. It remains to be seen how he deals with playing in the atmosphere in Dortmund. Reports also have it that Rosicky will be starting against the Germans tonight.
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