‘Intelligent’: 27-year-old shows promise in first game since Arsenal let him leave for nothing

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Hector Bellerin has fared well for Barcelona in his first game for the La Liga giants since leaving Arsenal on a free transfer.

The time was right for Bellerin to leave.

Signed from Barcelona back in 2011, Bellerin became a first-team fixture at Arsenal, racking up almost 250 appearances for the club.

Yet it became clear that Bellerin just wasn’t going to be in Mikel Arteta’s plans moving forward.

A loan spell to Real Betis summed that up last season and with just a year left on his deal, Arsenal decided to cut ties this summer.

Hector Bellerin has impressed for Barcelona

Betis wanted Betis back after that loan spell last season but the right back has instead returned to Barcelona.

Arsenal didn’t even want a fee for Bellerin, allowing him to join the Catalan giants on a free transfer.

Bellerin has only signed a one-year deal with Barca, so he has to make every appearance count in order to secure an extension.

The 27-year-old was given a first start since joining Barcelona, featuring in Saturday evening’s trip to take on Cadiz.

Bellerin played the full 90 minutes and certainly impressed for Xavi’s side.

Bellerin linked up really well with Raphinha down Barcelona’s right flank before playing a key role in Robert Lewandowski’s goal.

Barcelona won 4-0 and Bellerin will be delighted with his display, keeping a clean sheet whilst contributing going forward.

Two successful dribbles, two aerials won, one interception and one clearance may now sound like the most amazing display, but the Spanish press were happy.

SPORT rated Bellerin as a 6/10, suggested that the Spaniard was ‘intelligent’ throughout Barcelona’s victory.

They stated that Bellerin not only offered quality going forward but also did well defensively, committing fouls to break up Cadiz attacks.

AS added that Bellerin was ‘very incisive’, believing that whilst he can be more precise going forward, hsi debut was ‘more than successful’.

There seems to be encouragement that Bellerin can now play an important role for Barcelona moving forward, potentially sharing duties with Jules Kounde at right back.