Yeah he's great at carrying the ball forward but passing, positioning, creatively he is very average. Its weird though in terms of RB's I still think Bellerin is injured/unfit. He hasnt shown any signs of his pace in well over a year for us. At 25 he should still be getting quicker but he looks nothing like the athlete he once was. I feel like there's still injury issues holding him back.
I’m no nutritionist, but it may well have to do with him becoming a vegetarian. I’ve noticed that was the beginning of his decline. I still think Cedric will probably be our starting RB. He did win the euros with Portugal, so there’s obviously something there. Has PL experience too.
Vegan - but yes I have heard of few people speculate this. There are quite a few cases of athletes turning Vegan - feeling good for a few weeks and then overtime having testosterone and injury issues. (particularly in the NFL) Although I believe its possible to be a successful plant-based athlete it is considerably harder to balance.
I think a big part of bellerin losing pace is down to the ACL injury same injury robbed Theo of some pace also
Imo we should cash in on any interest in Bellerin as he is injury prone and doesn’t seem to be the player he was - perhaps he is as good as he can be now and it’s less than previously. Play Cedric and AMN at RB, experience and youth - hopefully AMN can pick up knowledge from Cedric.
Yeah I had the same thing. Took me about a year to get back from surgery - now injured my other knee.
Nelson starting against Norwich. Cedrick on the bench. Soo far playing quite well. Bellerins doing some damage down the right.
2-0. HT. Good half. Ceballos has been excellent. His ability to dribble under pressure and turn past players has created several openings for us. He's broke the lines with some lovely incisive passes, too. Player of the half. Only downside is Mustafi, whose recklessness had nearly undone the good foundation we'd built. Can't wait until we get rid of this guy. Was never good enough.
4-0. Team played well today. Best performance since we've come back. 2 goals for Auba. Fastest Arsenal player to reach 50 League Goals (77 games) Cedrick scores on his debut. Good goal too! Tierney was absolutely class. Martinez is looking a decent backup for Leno. Ceballos looked good. My main grip is Arteta's selections. We need creativity - But Ozil cant even make the bench. Guendouzi not in the side because he fell out with Arteta in training (apparently - some outlets saying he wants to leave and United & Inter have enquired) Nketiah getting loads of game time, Saka getting loads, Martinelli getting NONE at all. Mustafi and Luiz together...really?
4-0. FT. Good win and will boost our GD more. After a dominant first-half, we were sluggish in the opening of the second. Norwich came out with more energy and purpose. They clearly didn't want to take a beating. However, that shocking mistake which led to our 3rd goal typifies why they are going down. Lack of communication at the back and switching off at key moments. After that, it knocked the stuffing out of them and we cruised to the end. Norwich have got some good young players, who I wouldn't mind seeing at Arsenal next season. Especially if rumours are true about us being financially restricted in the market. Lovely strike from Cedric on his debut, too. All in all, been a good day. Saka signs a contract extension, Aubameyang breaks his 4 game 'goal-drought', a debutant gets a goal and we win comfortably.
We look so much better with Bellerin and Tierney in the team. Actually thought Luiz and Mustafi looked like a solid pairing. Good day and good result. Also on top of Saka signing, Arteta was 'very positive' about Auba signing a new contract too
Bellerin is getting alot of stick on Twitter for his recent performances but I actually thought he did some good things yesterday. Made a few errors but overall thought he played well.
I would sell Bellerin but unlike selling Mustafi or David Luiz or Kolasinac etc etc, I would only get rid of him for one reason - to get some £££ for rebuilding. unlike the others, I’m not desperate to get rid of Bellerin but I don’t think he will get any better and it’s better to cash in while he has some value.