Hector Bellerin recently explained why he chose to sign for Arsenal instead of staying with his hometown club – Barcelona.
When you get to 16 at Barcelona, it’s the age that you sign your main contract. I was about to sign that but we knew there were a lot of other options because you always get them from other teams at that time.
The young full-back has been exceptional since he took over from Mathieu Debuchy last year. After having spent a few years in Arsenal’s youth team and a season on loan at Watford, Bellerin has arguably been one of Arsenal’s standout performers. He possesses exceptional pace and is critical for providing width for the team.
Although for some young players, a move to England is easy to accept, it seems Bellerin took great care in deciding whether the move was right. What seems to have been a big factor is Arsenal’s desire to bring him over to England. Despite having other options, Bellerin makes it clear, that after speaking to Arsene Wenger, and seeing the club show they wanted him was a big draw for the then 16-year-old.
Arsene Wenger placed great faith in the player and it seems that Bellerin’s wise attitude has paid off.
I didn’t have the option to come to Arsenal until I was right about to sign with Barcelona. When it came, they were so serious about it, more serious than any other team. They made me feel really wanted.
I came here for a weekend. I met the boss and I remember I went to the game. We beat Man United and I remember Ramsey scoring. I still have all those images in my mind. To be 16 years old, to be able to speak to the boss and get reassured that they really wanted me, plus seeing all the facilities at the training ground and how easy they were going yo make it for me to adapt , it all made me tell my parents that I wanted to come here.
I remember I was on the plane back and I already said to my Mum that I wanted to come to Arsenal. My Mum was like “are you sure you can leave your family and friends?But there was something inside telling me this was the right choice to make and at the moment, I’m very happy that I made that step.”
But there was something inside telling me this was the right choice to make and at the moment, I’m very happy that I made that step.
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