Four years ago Arsene Wenger handed Arsenal wonderkid, Hector Bellerin, his Champions League debut against Borussia Dortmund in what was an incredibly tough game for a youngster to make his debut in.
Signed from the famed La Masia academy in 2011 for a bargain fee of £450k, Bellerin was converted from a winger to a fullback during his time in the academy at Arsenal.
The attacking fullback had been on loan with Watford the season before but following injuries to Mathieu Debuchy, Nacho Monreal and Calum Chambers, Wenger handed him his first start in the Champions League.
Away from home against one of the best sides in Europe, it wasn’t exactly the easiest game for Bellerin to make his debut in and after a poor performance, here’s what the fans had to say.
https://twitter.com/San51dyP/status/512218599101313024
@Arsenal @HectorBellerin
HE IS NOT READY FOR THE BIG GAMES YET.— Papapimp (@setdown_onleft) September 18, 2014
@Arsenal @HectorBellerin he had the worst game possible
— Micky Woodvine (@mickywoodvine) September 17, 2014
@Arsenal @HectorBellerin will never win any tittle this season with this kind of player & with poor substitution #sorry but that's the fact
— مُحَمَّد (@SMMAHMO) September 17, 2014
https://twitter.com/WMHafizulWM/status/512194465117646848
@Arsenal @HectorBellerin he was awful
— Jewel of Goodness (@insurancy) September 17, 2014
@Arsenal who cares wah he thinks… Wenger sunk the poor dude in the Deep End!!
— TOBILOBA (@Iam_Torbah) September 17, 2014
In a very tough game against a very good side, Bellerin was constantly attacked and in a side with so many players looking to get forward, Bellerin was exposed by Dortmund’s dynamic forwards.
While most would expect the more experienced players to help guide him through the game, Bellerin didn’t get much help and was a weak link in the side.
However, making a start against such a good team was probably the best preparation for the defender as he would go on to make 20 appearances in the league.
Following that first season, Bellerin emerged as the club’s main starter at the position and quickly established himself as one of the best young prospects in Europe. Blessed with incredible speed, Bellerin produced five assists in his first full season.
The following year, Bellerin once again cemented himself as one of the best prospects in the league but following speculation linking him with a move to Man City following the arrival of Pep Guardiola.
Following that speculation, Bellerin’s form dropped massively and until recently, he hasn’t quite looked like the player that broke into the Arsenal side a few years ago. Under Unai Emery, Bellerin has become more efficient going forward and also an improved player defensively which is a welcome surprise to Arsenal fans after seeing him stagnate for so long.
Bellerin has already registered four assists this season and looks like a player that could help lead Arsenal to a new era. While his first Champions League game wasn’t great, it seems the fans were wrong to dismiss the youngster so quickly.
