Arsenal Set To Hand 19 Year Old His First Premier League Debut

There are strong indications that Hector Bellerin could be in for a start in the Premier League match against Hull City at the Emirates on Saturday. This is as result of the suspension to Calum Chambers who has so far accumulated five yellow cards this season. While Mathieu Debuchy remains a long term absentee following the ankle ligament injury he suffered in September. The 19 year old Spaniard, who arrived Arsenal from Barcelona’s famed La Masia Academy three years ago, is the third choice right back after the aforementioned duo.

He has steadily risen through the ranks at the club, and Arsene Wenger spoke highly of him prior to his making his debut for the first team in the Champions League match against Borussia Dortmund in Germany in September. A match he was essentially out of his depth after struggling with his positioning throughout. He showed an improvement in his performance when restored to familiar surroundings at the Emirates in the Capital One Cup defeat to Southampton last month.

Per Mertesacker spoke during the international break that he expects the young defenders in the squad to make the step up this season in the absence of more established players. He made mention of Hector Bellerin when he spoke to the official site. Arsenal’s vice captain backed the young defender to take his chance anytime he has the opportunity to play, and challenged him to communicate with the more experienced defenders when necessary during intervals in play in defence.

“He’s (Bellerin) a good addition to our squad and he can take his chance with Mathieu Debuchy injured and Calum [Chambers] suspended.

He’s got some great chance and he has to take them now because you never know what will happen in football.

“. . . They (young defenders) have to be brave and be themselves. He (Bellerin) needs to talk as well and that’s what i demand from him.”

“He listens a lot and he’s a good guy, which gives him a good chance to be a regular pro at Arsenal.”

Huge words there from Per Mertesacker for Hector Bellerin, it is left to Arsene Wenger whether he trust Hector Bellerin enough to hand him his Premier League debut in the absence of Calum Chambers and Mathieu Debuchy, or whether he would go for Francis Coquelin who has experience of playing as a right full back as shown during his time on loan at French side Lorient and most recently at left full back in the Capital One Cup match against Southampton in September. It remains to be seen who Arsene Wenger settles with.