THIS has been, for several reasons, a depressing week for Arsenal fans. The news that Henrikh Mkhitaryan will not travel to Baku for the Europa League Final—joining the hordes of Arsenal fans who will be unable attend due to cost, travel difficulties or having the wrong passport—has cast a shadow over the end of the Gunners’ season. 

However, Hector Bellerin offers some hope. He can feel like an antidote to the ills of modern football: someone who is prepared to put their head above the corporate parapet and say what he really feels.

At a time when Arsenal fans—and to a wider extent, football fans in general—find themselves wondering what values their club and their game stand for, Bellerin leaves little doubt over his own personal ethics. 

At this point, Bellerín is pretty much the only thing good in football

— Alex Stewart (@AFHStewart) May 17, 2019

In the last week, he took to twitter to condemn the Alabama abortion bill, stressing that this was an issue “for every human being”, and effectively calling upon others within his industry to speak out too. That’s just the latest in a series of statements about sexism, racism and other social issues.

Bellerin has never been one to play it safe—anyone who’s seen how he dresses will attest to that. Bizarrely, that sartorial exuberance made him the subject of certain Arsenals fans’ ire for a time. In the midst of the ‘Wenger Out’ conflict, Bellerin was effectively caught in the crossfire. His visibility made him an easy target, with his fashion sense perceived as emblematic of Arsenal’s problems of aesthetics over results. 

That talk has died down now, helped in no small part by Bellerin’s excellent form this season. He is one of the Arsenal players who has most benefited from the change in coach. His 19 league appearances this season yielded five assists, indicating that he has become effective at both ends of the field.

Unfortunately, injury struck him down. Bellerin ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament in January and is likely to be sidelined until the winter. However, he’s shown that even when he is not able to play, he’s able to leverage his position and his status for good.

I wanted to see if anyone from our industry would speak out about the abortion bill, but I guess people are too scared. This isn't just an issue for women, it's one for every human being. We fight for equality and this is something men should fight for and not hide away from.

— Héctor Bellerín (@HectorBellerin) May 17, 2019

Criticism of Bellerin used to suggest his diverse interests prevented him from focusing on his football. However, his devotion to Arsenal and to London is pretty clear. He speaks like an adopted cockney, and unlike some other more celebrated team-mates did not hesitate to put pen to paper on a long-term contract when the offer arrived.

Bellerin recently turned 24, and as he matures he is showing qualities that identify him as a potential leader. Unai Emery appointed five captains at the start of the 2018/19 season, and it’s difficult to identify any as a long-term option for the armband. Petr Cech is retiring, while Aaron Ramsey is joining Juventus. There is considerable debate over the form and future of both Granit Xhaka and Mesut Ozil, while Laurent Koscielny will turn 34 in September. 

The Mkhitaryan affair should have reminded everyone at Arsenal that their values are those of diversity and inclusiveness. Who in the current squad represents that better than Bellerin?It would be quite the turnaround for Bellerin, who just two years ago was being berated by travelling Arsenal fans during a 3-0 defeat to Crystal Palace.

However, sometimes what identifies a leader is how they respond to those challenges. Perhaps the greatest credit you can give Bellerin is that he’s never allowed criticism to remodel him; that he has stuck to the courage of his convictions, despite his detractors. 

That is the mark of a man of principle. In football, that’s an increasingly hard thing to come by. Arsenal should cherish Bellerin, for they are lucky to have him.

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