Most players that come from the Barcelona youth academy tend to make an impact on the game in one way or another, and young Arsenal star Hector Bellerin is no different.
Clearly still raw, he is undoubtedly still learning the finer points of the game, but his talent has already seen him brush off an established France international and an emerging England under-21 star to maintain a foothold in Arsene Wenger’s first team.
And below are five points that highlight why we think the Spaniard is the Premier League’s best right-back right now.
5. Pace
Bellerin is frighteningly fast…so much so that he beat Theo Walcott’s record sprint time for 40m at Arsenal, running it in at 4.42s.
That means the youngster is capable at running at 32.4km/h, which is a number that has only been bested by seven players in the football world.
4. Attacking ability
Not only does his pace help him with tracking back, when coupled with skill going forward and an eye for goal he suddenly turns into a real creative threat.
Having opened his account against Aston Villa last season before bagging the stunner above against Liverpool this term. Gunners fans can expect a few more in the coming years.
He’s also a dab hand at creating chances, too.
3. No competition
Though there is a handful of excellent right-backs in the Premier League right now, we’d still plump for Bellerin over the likes of Pablo Zabaleta, Cesar Azpilicueta, Seamus Coleman and Nathaniel Clyne.
2. Heart
We’re not talking about his actual heart, but his desire and ability to better himself. Having joined Barcelona at the eight, he upped sticks at 15 and left for Arsenal. Any boy that age with the nerve to do that and join one of the world’s biggest clubs would only serve to suggest that there is very little that could phase him.
1. Humility
Some 20-year-olds might let their fame and fortune go to their heads, but not Hector. Following Arsenal’s 2-0 victory over Bayern Munich this week the young Spaniard took time out after the game to give a speech to a group of youngsters that were in attendance.
Despite his young years, he is an obvious role model for others, and in talking to those kids on Tuesday he quite clearly has his feet on the ground still.
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