Arteta has made it clear star he called ‘key figure’ has no future at Arsenal

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Mikel Arteta has already made it clear that Hector Bellerin will not be a part of his plans at Arsenal next season, following the defender’s return from his loan transfer with Real Betis.

That’s according to TuttoMercatoWEB, who report Arteta has no interest in welcoming the Spaniard back to the Emirates Stadium. Instead, the Gunners will make Bellerin available in the summer, with the right-back also entering the last year of his contract in north London.

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Arteta allowed Bellerin to leave Arsenal late in the previous summer transfer window after he fell out of favour last season. The 27-year-old played 25 Premier League games through the 2020/21 campaign, but he only featured three times over the Gunners’ final 13 fixtures.

Bellerin even captained the Emirates Stadium natives four times across his final six outings before losing out to Cedric Soares and Calum Chambers from February. And even after he spent six games out of the side, Arteta awarded the four-cap ace the armband once more.

But a year apart, in which Bellerin has made 22 La Liga appearances for Real Betis, will not see him return to Arsenal and re-enter Arteta’s plans next term. Instead, the Gunners will look to cash in, be it to Manuel Pellegrini’s Los Verdiblancos or hope rival suitors emerge.

Mikel Arteta has made it clear Hector Bellerin has no Arsenal future after loan

Arteta’s stance is unlikely to disappoint Bellerin ahead of the defender’s return to Arsenal from his Real Betis loan, though. That’s because football.london recently noted the £110k-a-week dynamo is keen to extend his stay at the Benito Villamarin Stadium past the term.

Additionally, football.london also report the Gunners and Los Verdiblancos will meet after the season ends to discuss Bellerin’s future. Quite the decline for a long-time Arsenal star who Arteta called a ‘key figure’ at the Emirates in November 2020 before his rapid decline.

Now, the Gunners may have to hope Pellegrini’s side present an appealing offer, given the Spaniard’s contract ends in 2023. Otherwise, Arsenal face triggering a one-year option to extend his current deal in order to protect Bellerin’s value in the summer transfer window.