Arsenal fans do massive favour for Barcelona
Arsenal fans have turned on Hector Bellerin
Arsenal fans elected to make Hector Bellerin the target of their vitriol yesterday. All they’ve done is push him closer to a Barcelona move. The Gunners’ passionate fan base need to be careful they don’t force one of their most talented players into a summer transfer move.
Things certainly didn’t go according to plan for Arsene Wenger’s club yesterday. Even the most pessimistic Arsenal fan didn’t expect to suffer a 3-0 thrashing at the hands of Crystal Palace.
It’s also very unlikely that Hector Bellerin thought he would suffer insults from his own fans. Unfortunately for the young Spaniard, that’s exactly what happened. His own fans refused to give him the ball for a throw-in on two separate occasions. Even worse, Arsenal fans at Selhurst Park saw fit to chant “you’re not fit to wear the shirt” at the talented fullback.
Bellerin certainly didn’t have his best match, but he wasn’t Arsenal’s worst performer on the day either. He did struggle to contain Andros Townsend on the wing, but Wenger’s club had plenty of other problems to deal with. The club’s away fans simply chose to latch on to yelling at Bellerin because he was the closest player to them for most of the match.
While I understand the fans’ frustration, they need to channel it in a less destructive manner. While much of the summer transfer speculation has centred around Mesut Ozil and Arsene Wenger, the young Spanish right back is also a significant flight risk. It’s no secret that Barcelona would like to bring him back to his boyhood club.
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Right back just happens to be the Catalan giants’ biggest weakness heading into the summer transfer window. Sergi Roberto hasn’t convinced higher-ups at the club that he can handle the defensive side of the position. Injury concerns over Aleix Vidal further complicate the spot for Barcelona.
Bringing Bellerin back to the club would solve those questions in an instant. He would immediately become the first choice right back on the squad. Bellerin would immediately turn the club’s most problematic position into a potential strength.
Bellerin has previously indicated he’d like to stay in North London if Wenger remains in charge. Receiving abuse from his own fans might cause him to rethink that philosophy. After all, Barcelona will be playing Champions League football next season whereas Arsenal will likely be relegated to the Europa League.
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Arsenal fans need to rethink their decision to abuse Hector Bellerin. Their insults might just push him into a summer move to his boyhood club. Barcelona would love to provide the talented fullback a safe haven.