Analysing Hector Bellerin's superb performance against Chelsea
Hector Bellerin’s performance against Chelsea at the Emirates on Saturday night aligned with the performance of the whole of the Arsenal team.
The performance was electric and blew the Chelsea team away, as well as being controlled and concentrated when needed. The ability of the Spanish full-back has never been in question, but his consistent performances are now making him become one of the best right-backs in the league, and he proved it again on Saturday night.
From the first whistle, he was constantly up and down the right-hand side, always an option for Santi Cazorla and co. to find him on the edge of the Chelsea box. He even found himself so attacking at one point he was the furthest forward, and had no option but to have a shot, which was blocked. His ability to be this far forward had its merits, with the youngster creating two chances and with it gaining an assist.
Bellerin’s first time pass to Theo Walcott for the second Arsenal goal was on-point, and also was an example of his passing skill-set of which he had an 80% completion rate. This is impressive for a man whose main job is to defend, and his defensive role wasn’t bad either.
A 100% tackle-rate and he won 100% of his aerial duels. Bellerin’s tackling was summed up perfectly when he outpaced the seemingly through-on-goal Pedro, only to run past the winger and win the ball back with a perfect sliding tackle in the second half. The desire to get the ball back and keep a clean sheet for the Gunners was exactly in line with the whole attitude of the team.
The 21-year-old, while not really one for taking players on, is all about finding space and running-in behind. Throughout the game, he was seemingly running forward into space and offering an option or putting in a cross or a pass. This is his sixth game of the season, and he has already created six opportunities for his team-mates, and has a high pass rate of 84%. These are all impressive stats for a right-back. No defensive errors all season makes him a trusted member of the squad, and absolutely vital going forward.
Hector Bellerin’s performance against Chelsea was sublime, and his attitude was exactly like the whole Arsenal team – electric, confident and determined.
Featured Image: All rights reserved by David Price
