Bacary Sagna has suggested that he would not be surprised Hector Bellerin left Arsenal in the summer, on Charles Watts’ Youtube channel.
Bellerin has been linked with a move away from Arsenal, with PSG though to be among the clubs interested (CBS).
The Spaniard has actually played a fairly important role for Mikel Arteta’s side this season.
But Sagna admits that he feels that the Arsenal right-back probably thinks his time at the Emirates Stadium is coming to and end now.
“Obviously Hector has been there for years, he started playing not long after I left, so it’s been a good six years,” he said.
“A bit like I felt he probably feels today, he wants to challenge himself because he’s been there for a long time.
“It’s nothing to do with the club or winning cups, but at some point when you need to progress you feel the need to go somewhere else, challenge yourself, and start everything from zero again.
“If he left now I wouldn’t be surprised. But you have a great academy at Arsenal, Mertesacker is doing a great job. You don’t really have to go somewhere else or buy players. Sometimes you have young players at the academy pushing.”
Bellerin was actually dropped from Arsenal’s squad in their most recent game before the international break, which throws further doubt over his future.
The 26-year-old has been at Arsenal since 2011, but arguably hasn’t quite developed into the player many hoped.
Bellerin’s speed remains an asset, but there are still question marks over his defensive ability.
If Arsenal do sell Bellerin this summer they will surely have to find a replacement for him though.
While Calum Chambers performed well in Arsenal’s last game and Cedric provides solid cover, neither are likely to be of the right quality to start regularly for the Gunners over the whole campaign at right-back.
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