Hector Bellerin keeps his promise after subtly digging up Arsenal transfer exit

Hector Bellerin performed well as Real Betis beat Valencia in the Copa del Rey on Saturday, eight months after his loan spell at Arsenal

Hector Bellin has delivered on its promise to “win things with Real Betis ” after leaving arsenal last summer looking for cutlery and a new challenge.

The Spaniard, 27, returned to his home country on loan in August and has had a productive season plying his trade in Seville. He has made 31 appearances in all competitions, most recently when Betis won Copa del Rey for the third time in their history with a victory over Valencia on Saturday.

Bellerin set up Broja Igelsias’ opening goal with a precise cross and played the full 120 minutes after Hugo Duros’ equalizer sent the game into extra time and penalties. The right-back was not called upon to take a penalty in the shoot-out, but Betis’ triumph was sealed when Juan Miranda converted for Valencia after Yunus Musah missed a shot.

The Copa del Rey triumph is the fourth major honor of Bellerin’s career and comes on top of the three FA Cups he has won during his long spell at Arsenal. Towards the end, he was a mainstay in the Gunners’ lineup Arsene Wengers tenure but struggled to cement himself in the starting XI Unai Emery or Mikel Arteta.

While Bellerin wore the captain’s armband on occasion last season, it proved to be a season to forget for the north Londoners, who ended up without a trophy after failing to win European football for the first time in 25 years . Consequently the former Barcelona A decade after arriving in the Emirates, the academy candidate decided it was time to take on a new challenge.

Bellerin, who is under contract at Arsenal until the summer of 2023, is joining Betis for this season. appeared to aim a subtle jibe about the bleak situation in the club. He explained: “I left Arsenal to win with Real Betis. I’m not here for a holiday.”

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Remarkably, it has only taken the player eight months to fulfill his vow to win with Los Verdiblancos, who are also performing well league and fifth in the table. Meanwhile, things are looking up again for his regular club, which has vigorously recovered from its weak 2020/21 season.

Arteta has led the Gunners to fourth place First League and they seem poised to back up Champions League Qualification for the first time since 2017. Arsenal celebrated wins against two old opponents last week, 4-2 against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday and 3-1 against Manchester United in the Emirates three days later.