Hector Bellerin has delivered a big blow to Barcelona by signing a new six-year contract with Arsenal.
The defender has been at Arsenal since 2011 with his recent form and contract situation putting him in the spotlight of the Catalan giants.
Like Cesc Fabregas, Bellerin was signed from Barcelona as a teenager with a return to his home city strongly rumoured in recent months.
Having gained a reputation as a selling club securing the full-back onto a new long term deal is a major boost for Arsene Wenger who is hoping to get Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil to commit to similar deals.
Speaking to the Arsenal Player about his new deal Bellerin said:
‘I wasn’t thinking about anything else other than staying here and continuing my development here. This is where I’m happy. I’m just very grateful and pleased to have signed.
‘Arsenal is not only about being a footballer, you have to be good person to play here. That’s what everyone transmits inside the club. You represent more than just a football club.
‘I’m a player who tries to be an example for everyone, not just on the pitch but off it as well.
‘Now I’ve just got to keep on progressing, keep working hard to be the best player I can be, and hopefully help the team to be where its got to be, to win some silverware. That’s what everyone wants and that’s what I’m working towards.’
Bellerin missed Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Manchester United at Old Trafford with an ankle injury that he picked up in the draw with Spurs before the international break.
Initial reports suggest that he will be out of action until mid December ruling him out of the remaining Champions League matches against PSG and Basel.
