Hector Bellerin returned to action against Nottingham Forest. The 24 year old right back has been injured since January in a clash against Chelsea at the Emirates.
H couldn’t have hoped for a better way to return as he backed an assist within seconds of coming on for Keiran Tierney .
Unai Emery spoke about how well he has helped the team off the pitch and how he looks to reintegrate him into the team.
“I think Hector’s attitude is a very big attitude to help us,” Emery said. “When he was injured he was still a big mentality in the dressing room helping us.
“He assisted for Willock to score and also to have different options in the squad and first XI is good. We are going to play a lot of matches and tonight was his first 15 minutes [with us], which is really important.
“He wanted to play 90 and yesterday he told me he’s ready and wanted to play, but we decided to give him less minutes than 90. He played with the under-23s on Friday and also they are the first matches for him. We need to do it progressively and the doctor said to us that we are going to do it like that.
“I think no [he can’t play 90 minutes against Manchester United next]. Maybe in his mind yes, but we need to listen to the doctor and the doctor wants to do it progressively. Really tonight is the first day and the first minutes, and we are going to maybe share some minutes with the under-23s.
“It depends how he’s feeling, but in his mind he’s feeling very well and I think the first minutes tonight were amazing for him. We are going to use him with Ainsley and Calum Chambers to help us in this position. The most important things about Hector are his attitude and experience. He’s wishing to help us.”
From the bike, to the gym, to the first runs and now back on the pitch together 🙌🏼 @RobHolding95 pic.twitter.com/Xw6eh9tR1u
— Héctor Bellerín (@HectorBellerin) September 25, 2019
Bellerin had 5 assists in 19 premier league appearances last season. The Spaniard will want to reach the heights he attained last season as fast as possible. Fans are also happy to see him back as it was evident both in the stadium and on social media.
Me because Tierney, Holding, and Bellerin are back 😤 pic.twitter.com/E7vdE89uUA
— UpTheArsenal (@up_arsenal) September 25, 2019
Bellerin now has more assists than Wan-Bissaka this season.
— MR DT © (@MrDtAFC) September 24, 2019
