Arsenal

Hector Bellerin grateful for first-team role at Arsenal

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 04 October 2015

Hector Bellerin says that he is "confident" in his own ability and has no doubts that he can maintain his form throughout his second season in the Gunners' first team.

Arsenal defender Hector Bellerin has admitted that he is "very happy" to have been given a chance to shine in North London.

The full-back made 28 appearances for the Gunners last season and has already started seven games this term.

Despite making his debut less than a year ago Bellerin, who swapped Barcelona for Arsenal in 2011, is relishing the prospect of regular first-team football at the Emirates Stadium on a long-term basis.

"A lot of people talk about that second season stuff but what plays in your favour is that I played 28 games last season," he told the club's matchday programme ahead of today's visit of Manchester United.

"I'm confident, I know that I can play and you know that all the experiences always play in your favour. You've got both sides of it - people saying that other teams know what you play like and know how to stop you, but you've got the confidence and the experience.

"I'm finding it very good and I'm very happy that the boss is giving me as many opportunities as last year and that I'm playing the minutes I want."

Bellerin replaced Mathieu Debuchy in Arsenal's starting lineup last year, which has reportedly edged the Frenchman close to the Emirates exit.