Mikel Arteta admits he was ‘worried’ Hector Bellerin would leave Arsenal and has revealed what the defender told him after being linked with Barcelona and PSG.
Bellerin has spent almost a decade at the Emirates since joining the Premier League club from Barcelona at the age of 16.
Despite his influence in north London and reputation among Arsenal fans, Bellerin was heavily linked with a move away from the club earlier in the summer, with Barcelona and PSG both interested in securing his signature.
Bellerin was even said to have been in talks with the European giants over a move, but Arteta has revealed how he then committed his future to Arsenal in a conversation with the Gunners boss.
Speaking after Arsenal’s victory over Sheffield United in the Premier League, Arteta said: ‘Yes [I was worried that he would leave], because I understand a lot of things happened in his trajectory at the club.
‘What I liked, is he said to me, “I can see what we are trying to do”. It was a completely different player I could see. We need to keep him fit as well.
‘He told me he’s 100 per cent committed to be here and that’s the type of player we need.’
On Arsenal’s victory over Sheffield United – which was inspired by goals from Bukayo Saka and Nicolas Pepe – Arteta added: ‘What I liked is we adapted to a very different scenario.
‘We had the right patience. We need to improve to score the third one but it was good.
Arsenal goalscorer Saka, meanwhile, added: ‘All the things that have happened to me. I feel blessed. I’m a happy man.
‘I don’t get a lot of headers but it fell perfectly for me. I told Hector what a cross it was. It is the kind of patterns we work on.
‘I am trying to do my best when the boss picks me. I try to repay the trust.
‘We gave so much credit to Sheffield United as they are a good side. We are happy to get the points.’
