Hector Bellerin, Arsenal Agree on New Contract: Latest Details, Reaction

Arsenal announced a new long-term contract extension for defender Hector Bellerin on Friday. The deal should secure his future at Emirates Stadium after the rising star became linked to interest from Barcelona, where he spent part of his youth career.

Exact terms of the agreement weren't immediately released by the club, but longtime manager Arsene Wenger raved about the potential of the 20-year-old right-back. He celebrated the Spanish player's improvement over the past 12 months, as noted by Rob Kelly of the team's official site.

"His progress has been huge because if you had asked me that question last year, exactly on the same day, I would not have guaranteed you that Bellerin would be a regular player in the club by the end of the season but he managed to do it," Wenger said.

That doesn't mean he'll automatically be handed a place in the starting lineup on a weekly basis, though. The Gunners boss confirmed Bellerin will need to battle Mathieu Debuchy for the spot, with Calum Chambers also seeking more chances along the back line.

The good news for Bellerin is that he impressed in his first full campaign with Arsenal. Along with being usually reliable in the defensive third, he showed the potential to become a serious weapon when jumping into the attack as well.

He's still a work in progress, but the early signs are positive, as Henry Winter of the Daily Telegraph explained:

His role heading into the new campaign should mirror that of last term. He shouldn't be expected to take on a spotlight role quite yet, especially with a veteran option like Debuchy in the squad. Both should receive their fair share of starts throughout the season.

It's the long-term potential of Bellerin that Arsenal is really investing in. If he's able to continue building off the progress he made last season, he should develop into a stalwart member of the club's lineup over the next few years.

With Barcelona potentially lurking, the Gunners made the right move to lock him up.