Arsenal’s Bellerin says he’s motivated by Man City interest, Arteta ‘like a second father’ to him

 

It would appear Hector Bellerin joined up with Spain’s U21 squad and immediately sat down to do a raft of interviews with the Spanish media. There are several around, and the gist from the Arsenal player is pretty clear… he’s happy where he is, especially under Arsene Wenger, but isn’t ruling anything out regarding his future.

Mundo Deportivo are one of the newspapers with a Bellerin interview, and they of course press on a possible Barcelona return. That’s been covered repeatedly, but the newspaper also go for the Manchester City angle.

Asked if there was anything in links with Manchester City, Bellerin replied: “I know there has been interest from City, it’s a compliment. That a coach like Guardiola wants you in his ranks is very nice, that is what motivates me even more, a sign that things are going well, but I still have a long way to go and to improve.”

Then Bellerin was asked if it’s true he’d prefer to move to Manchester City over Barcelona, and he replied: “That is not true, I never said it, to begin with because I do not talk about these things out of respect for Arsenal. I would never talk about other teams.”

Going on to talk about other teams again, Bellerin was asked if Mikel Arteta being at Manchester City could influence his future: “Mikel is a very honest person, he never wanted to take me there. He knows what is best for me, Arteta is very special to me, he has been like a second father, he helped me a lot when I arrived at Arsenal, on and off the pitch, I have a lot of affection and respect for him.”

To round things off, Bellerin was asked where he sees himself next season and added a little doubt, which is perhaps surprising given he’s recently signed an Arsenal contract lasting until 2023: “At the moment I’m very happy where I am, focused on finishing the season, and the U21, at Arsenal and then what comes, will come.”

The defender’s tune has changed and that may be to attract the interest of Manchester City and/or Barcelona. Bellerin hasn’t done these interviews and slightly changed his tune for a random reason, there’s a method behind the chattering.

That method may be just looking for attention, to increase his profile in Spain, or genuinely showing itchy feet at Arsenal. Whatever it is, it’s not helpful right now for Arsene Wenger, a man Bellerin insists he hugely respects.