Arsenal Must Stand Firm on Hector Bellerin to Prove They're Not a Selling Club

Arsene Wenger has always preferred to make stars rather than buy them. Hector Bellerin is a prime example: Having snuck him away from Barcelona’s academy as a teenager, the Arsenal manager has subsequently overseen his transformation into one of the most exciting full-backs in Europe.

However, his rise has not gone unnoticed elsewhere. Manchester City are now said to be lurking with a big-money bid, and the onus is now on Wenger to do what it takes to keep his young charge in north London. Acquiring Bellerin may have been cheap, but losing him would cost Arsenal dear.

According to Jack Austin of The Independent, Bellerin ranks highly on Pep Guardiola’s list of transfer targets for next year: 

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Pep Guardiola is set to hand Manchester City bosses a list of 2017 transfer targets which could total £150m – only two months after spending £175m on players during the summer.

[...]

Guardiola is desperate to sign Arsenal right-back Hector Bellerin, who was in Barcelona’s youth system while he was managing at the Nou Camp.

Bellerin is believed to be available for £40m and City are confident they can persuade him to trade the Emirates for the Etihad with the promise of trophies. 

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It doesn’t take a great leap of the imagination to believe that Bellerin could interest Guardiola. After all, the City boss’ playing style was forged in the academy at Barcelona—the same place where Bellerin began his footballing apprenticeship.  

Guardiola’s Barcelona had one of the greatest attacking full-backs of modern times, Dani Alves, stationed on the right side of the defence.

Bellerin’s marauding style is definitely reminiscent of the Brazilian, and with both Pablo Zalabeta and Bacary Sagna the wrong side of 30, it would make plenty of sense to target the Arsenal 21-year-old.

The Spain international could be a key component as Guardiola seeks to emulate Barcelona’s expansive play at the Etihad Stadium.

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Barca might also be interested in bringing their former player back to the Camp Nou.

According to Jeremy Wilson of the Telegraph, Barcelona sporting director Robert Fernandez has dubbed Bellerin a “magnificent player”.

Having already succeeded in luring Cesc Fabregas back to Barcelona, it would be no great surprise if they attempted to pull off the same trick with the 21-year-old.

However, it’s City who currently pose the biggest threat—due to both the pull of Guardiola and their enormous wealth.

David Anderson of the Mirror said Arsenal have already had to see off one enquiry this past summer: 

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Arsenal have been left fuming by Manchester City’s attempt to lure Hector Bellerin to the Etihad.

Arsenal claim City have unsettled Bellerin because of their interest in the highly-rated Spanish defender.

It is understood the Gunners were so annoyed they contacted City’s chief negotiator Txiki Begiristain to issue an angry hands-off warning to the Blues and their director of football.

Arsenal feel City’s pursuit of Bellerin has thrown a spanner into their negotiations with the right-back over a new long-term deal. 

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Bellerin is not in obvious need of a new deal. He signed a long-term extension to his contract in 2015, so Arsenal are in a relatively strong position. However, the fact that negotiations are already being considered shows the dramatic rate of his progression.

The Spaniard is improving as quickly as he runs. Anyone who saw him dash back to commit a stunning last-ditch challenge in the 3-0 victory over Chelsea will know how bold a statement that is.

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Arsenal must act to ensure they keep hold of their bright young star. The period after the move to the Emirates Stadium in 2006 was characterised by the loss of outstanding young talent.

As soon as players like Fabregas, Samir Nasri and Emmanuel Adebayor began to blossom, they were plucked away by clubs in a superior financial position. 

The Gunners are now on solid economic ground and must use their newfound security to make a show of strength.

At the moment, the club are locked in negotiations over marquee names Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil. However, retaining Bellerin is almost as significant. After all, despite arriving without a major transfer fee, he is now one of the first names on the teamsheet.

Bellerin is also integral to Arsenal’s style. Wenger typically likes to play with wide attackers who drift infield. At present, it’s Theo Walcott who starts on the right flank, but his nose for goal regularly sees him drift inside to exploit opportunities in the penalty area. That in turn creates space for Bellerin on the overlap, and that’s where he thrives.

There are few sights more intimidating for a left-back than Bellerin driving at them with pace. He is quicker and more skilful than the majority of wingers—indeed, he began his career as a right-winger before being converted to the full-back role at Arsenal.

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That’s not to suggest he can’t defend. His remarkable intervention against Chelsea was just the latest in what is becoming a catalogue of moments of defensive excellence.

He is still young, and occasionally his inexperience can see his positioning exposed. However, his recovery pace means that even then he is rarely caught out. Within a few seasons, Bellerin could be the most complete attacking full-back in Europe.

For his part, the player has previously insisted he is in no rush to leave Arsenal.

Speaking to Alberto Pinero of Goal in March, he said:

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I left Barca without looking back. I left focused on London and Arsenal and I am really happy there. I signed a new deal last year and there's still a lot in front of me. It's a club that's forming a great team, with players like Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil.

My future is there and I am happy where I am. A lot of things can happen in football, but I am at Arsenal, giving my all for the club. I am not thinking of going anywhere else.

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However, that was before City’s interest reportedly gave him cause for consideration. Arsenal fans will be praying that these stories are not giving him reason to doubt his commitment.

His performances are not those of a man who’s on the way out. He continues to give his all in an Arsenal shirt—if anything, he seems to have improved somewhat this season.

That must be recognised in a bumper new deal. Bellerin’s status as one of Europe’s most exciting young talents warrants a top contract. Losing him to a club like City would be a huge blow—and simultaneously strengthen a rival.

Arsenal must be prepared to pay out to ensure they keep hold of their Spanish sensation. The indications are that he is only going to get better.

James McNicholas is Bleacher Report's lead Arsenal correspondent and will be following the club from a London base throughout 2016/17. Follow him on Twitter here.