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Arsenal 0-1 Olympiacos: 3 things learned as Gunners through to Europa League Quarter Final

By Megan Garbutt

LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 18: Hector Bellerin of Arsenal prepares to become part of the wall from the floor during the UEFA Europa League Round of 16 Second Leg match between Arsenal and Olympiacos at Emirates Stadium on March 18, 2021 in London, England. Sporting stadiums around Europe remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 18: Hector Bellerin of Arsenal prepares to become part of the wall from the floor during the UEFA Europa League Round of 16 Second Leg match between Arsenal and Olympiacos at Emirates Stadium on March 18, 2021 in London, England. Sporting stadiums around Europe remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /
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2. Bellerin or Cedric?

LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 18: Hector Bellerin of Arsenal runs with the ball whilst under pressure from Oleg Reabciuk of Olympiakos during the UEFA Europa League Round of 16 Second Leg match between Arsenal and Olympiacos at Emirates Stadium on March 18, 2021 in London, England. Sporting stadiums around Europe remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 18: Hector Bellerin of Arsenal runs with the ball whilst under pressure from Oleg Reabciuk of Olympiakos during the UEFA Europa League Round of 16 Second Leg match between Arsenal and Olympiacos at Emirates Stadium on March 18, 2021 in London, England. Sporting stadiums around Europe remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /

This has certainly been a very strong debate this season ever since the introduction of Cedric at left-back when Kieran Tierney was out injured, and now he’s also playing brilliantly on the left and seems to be favoured over Hector Bellerin, especially in the league.

Bellerin has played a vital role in the Arsenal squad for years now and has never really had any close competition, but Cedric has really proved himself to Arteta as a regular starting right-back, which has possibly made Bellerin feel threatened and maybe this is why he hasn’t been performing consistently.

Ever since his ACL injury, the Spaniard hasn’t been at his best again and a move in the Summer is looking likely, as big teams like PSG and Barcelona are looking to possibly sign him and could possibly do something to revitalise the just turned 26-year old’s (Happy Birthday Hector!) attacking abilities.

During the 90 minutes, Bellerin made no key passes and no accurate long balls, but defensively he was effective, making five recoveries, six clearances and winning five duels.

The right-hand side action and link-up play between Bellerin and Nicolas Pepe was not prominent throughout the game and it is clear that Pepe links up more confidently with Cedric who is a real threat going forward.

Bellerin may be getting criticised too harshly, as some Arsenal fans would say, but when you’ve been consistent for so many seasons and you start making poor mistakes and lack excitement going forward, you need to start looking at other options and I think Arsenal should look to sell him in the summer while he still has the potential to continue his career on a positive path rather than see his career here stretch out too long.

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