Why Arsenal should buy a replacement for Hector Bellerin soon
According to a report in the Guardian, Arsenal right-back Hector Bellerin is out for this season and will be racing against time to be fit for the start of next season.
This happened after he suffered a non-contact injury during the Gunners’ game against Chelsea, and the Spaniard had to be stretchered off. It looked bad from the first impression, and the confirmation of it has arrived.
As per the report, Bellerin has ruptured his knee ligament and waits to learn whether he has damaged his meniscus and other parts of the joint. As of now, the diagnosis is that the full-back will miss up to six months of action, that can be extended up to nine months as well. (Guardian)
Hence, the picture looks clear that Arsenal won’t have their first-choice right-back at the start of next season.
Thus, the Gunners should be proactive and sign a new right-back, effectively as a first choice. Here’s why:
Emery and Arsenal shouldn’t depend on backup options
The report says that Arsenal manager Unai Emery is confident that he has enough options to cover the loss of Hector Bellerin in the coming months. In truth, the Gunners have three choices in Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Stephan Lichtsteiner and Carl Jenkinson to pick, however, relying on them won’t be a good idea.
Maitland-Niles is a young player who is better when playing as a forward winger, as we saw against Liverpool. Lichtsteiner has gone past his prime and shouldn’t be relied upon to play a role at right-back. Jenkinson’s Arsenal career has been marred with injuries, hence, it is not a pretty situation if the club are to bank on him for a few games.
All that being said, it is vehemently clear that the Gunners should buy a first-choice right-back, if not this month, then during the summer window. What that will do is allow the £100,000-a-week Bellerin to take time with his recovery, and he can come back fully fit whenever it is most possible.
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As per the report, the Gunners cannot afford to buy new players this month and can loan in a couple. Thus, it is best that they wait until the summer and buy a new right-back by spending some money.