Arsenal midfielder Santi Cazorla has warned the club that they would be making a huge mistake if they sold Hector Bellerin to either Barcelona or Man City.
Bellerin joined the Gunners in 2011, and over the last year or so has established himself as not only Arsene Wenger’s first-choice right-back, but also one of the best individuals in his position in world football.
The Spaniard made 36 Premier League appearances last season and has been an almost ever-present so far this year while also collecting three caps for his country.
Having shown time and time again his defensive qualities and ability to be a threat from an attacking point of view too, Bellerin should be regarded as an integral part of Arsenal’s future, and that’s certainly how Cazorla sees him.
“We’ll see [what happens with Hector]. It is clear that Hector is the right-back of the future,” Cazorla told IBTimes UK.
“You could see in the victory over Swansea how good he is. He was all over the place and never stopped running. For Arsenal it would be a mistake to let him go. It is obvious that many teams want him. There has been talk about Manchester City and Barcelona. He is a player with great potential and I am sure he will also be a key part of the future of the Spanish national team.”
Meanwhile, Cazorla could face his own uncertainty sooner rather than later as his current contract comes to an end at the end of the season, with no negotiations over an extension taking place as of yet.
Nevertheless, despite concern growing amongst Arsenal supporters, the Spanish ace remains calm over the situation and insists that while he continues to play an important role for the club and plays regularly, then he has no desire to end his time at the Emirates any time soon.
“I’m happy because I’m playing regularly. If I didn’t play I would tell you that I would consider leaving, but I’m having minutes and I have the confidence of the manager. That’s what every player wants.”
The 31-year-old has featured in all eight Premier League games so far, and has scored twice while also producing two assists and has firmly established himself as a key man in the heart of Wenger’s midfield.