Arsenal: Losing Hector Bellerin is a Monumental Blow

Despite impressively beating Chelsea over the weekend, Arsenal have lost key star Hector Bellerin for the remainder of the season, following a reported ruptured ACL.

Football is a cruel, cruel game sometimes, as Arsenal have learnt this week. On Saturday, the Gunners put in a disciplined and balanced performance to beat London rivals Chelsea, but lost Hector Bellerin to a nasty looking knee injury in the 2nd half. In that match itself Bellerin was outstanding, but he represents a key figure for Unai Emery’s side in the grand scheme of things as well.

Bellerin is one of the best right-backs in the Premier League, and he has been showing it all season under Emery, after having a relatively disappointing campaign under Wenger last year. He is Arsenal’s most reliable defender when it comes to passing out from the back, and his pace and passing ability in transition is key to so many of Arsenal’s attacking moves. He is also one of their most productive final-third players, as only Aaron Ramsey has more Premier League assists for the club this season, and only Watford’s Holebas has more assists from defence.

With Bellerin out, Arsenal will lack an entire dimension to their game, as Lichtsteiner and Maitland-Niles aren’t at the same level as the Spaniard.

To say that Stephan Lichtsteiner has been a liability this season would honestly be an understatement. The 35-year-old Swiss international joined Arsenal on a free transfer, and has somehow still managed to feel overpriced! Lichtsteiner has cost Arsenal on multiple occasions with his slip ups this season, and Ainsley Maitland-Niles would be a far better option to directly replace Bellerin, as he can bring a similar energy to the position. What the Englishman lacks though, is the intelligence that Bellerin brought. Maitland-Niles is often too nonchalant in possession, not precise with his passing, and doesn’t often display the defensive nous required for the position. Despite this, Maitland-Niles is indeed an Arsenal academy prospect and thoroughly deserves the chance to be the starter for the remainder of the season.

Arsenal will have to change plenty about the way they play in Bellerin’s absence. It’s no coincidence that their worst form of the season in late December to early January came when Bellerin was suffering from a more minor injury that kept him out for a few weeks. During that period, they were lackluster in creating chances, as Bellerin is a key component of that.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles will have to step up to the plate and hit a home run, if he is to replace one of Arsenal’s most crucial players and consistent performers.