Assist king Mesut Ozil was rested for Arsenal’s FA Cup third-round tie with Sunderland.
But Gunners fans need not have feared because Hector Bellerin stepped up to the plate, supplying two of Arsenal’s goals in their 3-1 come-from-behind win at the Emirates Stadium this afternoon.
The flying Spanish full-back squared for Aaron Ramsey to convert Arsenal’s crucial second on 72 minutes, and then picked out Olivier Giroud at the back post for the goal which sealed victory.
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Bellerin has been a revelation since breaking through Arsenal’s youth ranks, and his good performances are why Mathieu Debuchy is free to leave the club this January, as BBC Sport reports.
The back-to-back winners of the competition had gone behind to a 17th-minute Jeremain Lens opener, although Joel Campbell quickly cancelled that goal out from Theo Walcott’s cross.
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Arsene Wenger’s side remain on course to become the first team since Blackburn Rovers in the 1880s to lift the FA Cup in three successive seasons – after nine years without a trophy.
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Arsenal 3-1 Sunderland player ratings: Ramsey & Giroud late goal give GunnersFA Cup win
Jeremain Lens goal video v Arsenal: Awful gaffe from ‘best centre-back in Prem’ gifts Sunderland lead
Mesut Ozil attempts most sensational assist ever by backing awful Arsenal teammate for Ballon d’Or