Hector Bellerin's Arsenal Emergence Affects Calum Chambers and Carl Jenkinson

The emergence of Francis Coquelin has dominated conversation around Arsenal in recent weeks. However, he is not the only player making great strides in the present Arsenal XI. Coquelin’s drastic development has overshadowed the progress of another academy product: right-back Hector Bellerin.

Bellerin has started in six of Arsenal’s last 10 games. It hasn’t always been easy: The first of those matches saw the Spaniard withdrawn at half-time during the humbling defeat at Stoke. Despite that setback, he bounced back with an impressive display in the following game against Galatasaray.

That’s the most impressive thing about Bellerin: He has recovered from some shaky performances to grow in confidence and capability.

Earlier this season, he had a torrid time against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League. By the time the next big away match of his career rolled around, against Manchester City at the Etihad, he looked infinitely more assured. It seems the right-back learns as quickly as he runs.

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Bellerin’s accelerated evolution has helped Arsenal cover for the absence of Mathieu Debuchy, who is out with a shoulder injury. However, his rise to prominence also raises intriguing questions over the other right-backs on Arsenal’s books: Calum Chambers and Carl Jenkinson.

For now, Chambers appears to have fallen behind Bellerin in the pecking order at full-back. Bellerin’s speed and dribbling ability makes him a more obvious fit with Arsenal’s attacking style, while that recovery pace also enables him to make up for any errors induced by his inexperience. Chambers is not blessed with the same acceleration and can occasionally look vulnerable at right-back. 

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It’s probably a good thing for Chambers to come out of the firing line. He has played more football in the first half of this season than anyone could have anticipated and was beginning to look a little ragged as a consequence of being overexposed. 

At present, it’s not even clear whether right-back will ultimately be Chambers’ best position. Bellerin’s presence enables him to develop at an appropriate pace and discover the role that suits him best. In the meantime, his versatility makes him a very useful squad player. 

It’s more difficult to envisage Carl Jenkinson having a future at Arsenal. The one-time England international is enjoying a good season on loan with West Ham United, which has led to some fans proposing he be recalled to his parent club.

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Bellerin’s forward strides may have put paid to that idea. The Spaniard has the stamina and crossing ability to match Jenkinson and seems to have better all-round technique.

With Chambers and Debuchy also likely to be at Arsenal next season, it’s difficult to see how Jenkinson would get a game. After a season of first-team football at Upton Park, he’s unlikely to be willing to return to playing a minimal role.

Jenkinson may be an Arsenal fan, but he’s a professional first and foremost. A permanent move to join the Hammers may be the best solution for everyone.

It seems Bellerin has edged ahead of Chambers and seen off Jenkinson. His sights will now be focused on Debuchy and the possibility of becoming Arsenal’s first-choice right-back.

James McNicholas is Bleacher Report's lead Arsenal correspondent and is following the club from a London base throughout the 2014-15 season. Follow him on Twitter here.