Long-serving Arsenal defender Hector Bellerin has completed a loan switch to La Liga outfit Real Betis on the summer transfer deadline day.
As confirmed by the club’s official website, Arsenal full-back Hector Bellerin has departed the Emirates Stadium on a season-long loan deal to Real Betis.
A product of Barcelona’s fabled La Masia youth setup, Bellerin joined Arsenal at a very young age in the summer of 2011. A year later, he had signed his professional contract and after a loan stint at Watford, he became a first-team regular for the north Londoners under then-manager Arsene Wenger.
There have been times when his form has been up and down while injuries also have had an impact on his abilities, but Bellerin has still managed to rack up a total of 239 appearances for Arsenal while winning three FA Cups and two FA Community Shield titles.
However, the 26-year-old had been struggling for game-time under new manager Mikel Arteta, managing just 25 appearances in the Premier League last season. And, with the Gunners on the verge of signing Takehiro Tomiyasu from Bologna, it was clear that Bellerin’s time at the Emirates was nearing its end.
And, it has indeed now been confirmed that Bellerin has returned to his homeland, Spain, joining Real Betis on loan for the rest of the 2021/22 season. The Athletic further reports that the Spanish international has taken a pay cut to join the Verdiblancos, while they do not have the option of making the transfer of Bellerin permanent either.
Wishing you all the best with @RealBetis this season, @HectorBellerin ?
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) August 31, 2021
“Hector Bellerin has joined La Liga side Real Betis on loan for the 2021/22 season. Everyone at Arsenal wishes Hector the best of luck with Real Betis this season. The loan deal is subject to the completion of regulatory processes,” the official statement from the club on the website read.
It has been a strange transfer window for Arsenal, whose spending has not reflected in terms of improvement within the squad. Currently rooted to the bottom of the table, Mikel Arteta & co. will have their task cut out when the season resumes after the international break. As for Bellerin, he will be hoping to play regularly in what is a World Cup season and play his way into contention for the Spain squad for Qatar next year.
