In news Arsenal fans knew was coming, the season is over for Spanish right back Hector Bellerin.
The 23 year old suffered a cruciate ligament rupture in Arsenal’s 2 – 0 win over Chelsea on Sunday.
Hector Bellerin now likely won’t feature for Arsenal until some time halfway through next season.
It’s a devastating injury for both Hector Bellerin and for Arsenal. Bellerin will lose an entire year of his career. Meanwhile, Arsenal lose one of their best and most crucial players, perhaps never to reach his best form again.
Bellerin took to Instagram on Tuesday to send a message to supporters.
“There are no obstacles in life you can’t get over. Been a difficult couple of days but I’m positive and ready to take whatever challenge comes my way. Thank you so much for the love and messages, you are incredible ?”
This injury is particularly untimely, as Bellerin was starting for the first time after recovering from a different injury.
Read: Updated Premier League Golden Boot Odds
Against Chelsea, Bellerin was a vital player. He showed how Unai Emery’s system relies on him getting up and down the flank. In his absence, the gunners have 34 year old Stephan Lichtsteiner and the inexperienced Ainsley Maitland-Niles.
Shkodran Mustafi has played right back before, as has Arsenal fan Carl Jenkinson. However, neither are convincing long term options.
As well as that, it’s the third such injury suffered by an Arsenal player this season. Both Danny Welbeck and Rob Holding sustained cruciate ligament injuries already. It’s rotten luck for Emery, who has now lost a valuable squad attacker, and two young defenders around whom he could have built his defense.
At 23, time is still on Bellerin’s side, but players often don’t ever return to their absolute best after such a significant injury. He now faces an uphill battle to play for Arsenal again.
