Mikel Arteta admits that he was “worried” that Hector Bellerin would leave Arsenal revealed what the defender had said to him after his association with Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain.
Bellerin has spent nearly a decade in the Emirates since joining the Premier League club from Barcelona at the age of 16.
Despite his influence in North London and his reputation among Arsenal fans, Bellerin was closely associated with a move away from the club earlier in the summer, with both Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain interested in securing his signature.
Bellerin was said to have held talks with the European giants about the move, but Arteta revealed how he committed his future to Arsenal in a conversation with the Arsenal coach.
Speaking after Arsenal’s victory over Sheffield United in the Premier League, Arteta said: “Yes [I feared he may leave] Because I understand that after such a long time at the club, and a lot of things that happened in his path of development, that he doubted whether he was still okay to continue here, what his ambitions are here, and how he could develop here.
“But what I liked was that he came to me and said, ‘I can see what we’re trying to do here and I’m convinced it’s the right place for me.’
Then when you close that window, you can open the next window. He was a completely different player and I can see him in training with his energy level as well, and his willingness to work a little more all the time.
We need to stay in shape too, so that’s one of the problems he’s had in the last few years because he’s not really lucky with injuries.
You want to have that consistency and at this level of performance you have to be fit. There is no other way. ‘
Arteta added, “ I think I should have told him, first of all, that I was very honest with what I said about him. Then I let him think.
I wanted him to talk to his family and people, and he came straight back to me to tell me that he was 100 percent committed and happy to be here.
“This is the kind of player we need here. There is no 50:50 or 80:20, we want to do what we want to do and that requires 100 percent commitment.”
On Arsenal’s victory over Sheffield United – which was inspired by the goals of Bocayo Saca and Nicholas Pepe – Arteta added: “What I liked is that we have adapted to a completely different scenario.
We had proper patience. We need to improve to score the third goal but it was good.
“The team is developing the right way in possession. We increased our ball speed, and we attacked with a bigger goal.
Meanwhile, Arsenal striker Saca added, “All the things that have happened to me. I feel blessed. I am a happy man.”
“I don’t get a lot of heads but it fits me perfectly. I told Hector what a cross is. It’s the kind of patterns we’re working on.”
I try to do my best when the president chooses me. I try to restore confidence.
We’ve given a lot of credit to Sheffield United for being such a good team. We are happy with the points. “
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