Hector Bellerin Says Arsenal Fan TV Are 'Hustling,' Not Real Supporters

Arsenal defender Hector Bellerin has criticised Arsenal Fan TV, as he believes they are not genuine supporters of the club.

Bellerin recently spoke at Oxford Union and discussed the popular YouTube channel, per the Mirror's Liam Prenderville:

"It's so wrong for someone who claims to be a fan and their success is fed off a failure. How can that be a fan?

"If a coach comes to me and says you've done something bad I'm going to take that advice.

"If someone from Arsenal Fan TV says this guy needs to do this or that I'm not going to listen to him."

Goal's Chris Wheatley shared the video of the Spaniard speaking at the session and praised the eloquence of his answers:

Bellerin also expressed his doubt that his Gunners' team-mates watch Arsenal Fan TV, and he added:

"For us players it doesn't affect us. If they want to have fun with it then have fun. When you grow you realise what is important.

"There's just people hustling, trying to make money their way. They're entitled to their opinion and the way they want to do it. If people find it funny then go watch it."

Arsenal Fan TV's Mr DT took issue with the 22-year-old's comments at the Union and responded to him after he posted on social media following Arsenal's 3-0 win over Ostersunds on Thursday:

Creator Robbie Lyle also responded to his comments:

The YouTube channel, which has 670,000 subscribers, is divisive among Arsenal fans—while many find the videos entertaining, others see it as an embarrassment.

Bellerin does have a point with one of his comments; the channel does succeed on the back of the team's failure.

Many of the channel's most viewed videos are post-match reaction pieces to humiliating Arsenal defeats—such as the 4-0 loss to Liverpool earlier in the season, or last year's 5-1 thrashing at the hands of Bayern Munich.

Sports journalists Sachin Nakrani and Jonny Singer disagreed on Bellerin's assessment of the channel:

Arsenal's cycle of spectacular implosion has undoubtedly fuelled interest in Arsenal Fan TV in recent years, but likewise the content would be much more positive if the Gunners' results and performances were better.

Like last season, the club once again face a fight to qualify for the UEFA Champions League, as they find themselves eight points behind fourth-placed Chelsea with 11 games remaining.

The UEFA Europa League now represents their best chance of rejoining Europe's elite, so the Gunners' victory over Ostersunds in the round-of-32 first leg will come as a relief to their supporters.