Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has declared that Hector Bellerin's long-term future is with the Gunners, with the Spaniard's remarkable and rapid rise among the main reasons why the club is keen to reward him with a new contract.
Bellerin's current deal is not due to expire to 2019, but Wenger believes it is only fair to improve his terms to match his standing in the team. It will also have the added bonus of warding off interest from the likes of Manchester City and Barcelona.
"He has been absolutely fantastic. Let's not forget that in his first game he had a nightmare when I played him, and the year before he was at Watford (on loan) - he didn't play," Wenger is quoted as saying by Arsenal.com.
"His progress has been absolutely spectacular because he has top mental strength. I think he loves as well to be here and he has responsibilities already in the dressing room for such a young age. It's something remarkable."
Bellerin broke into the first-team on a regular basis shortly before Christmas 2014 and hasn't looked back. For Wenger, it's only natural to want to extend the player's stay even longer.
"He has nearly three years to go and we always try get the players to the level where we think they deserve to be. So we try to extend, certainly, his contract. For me, his long-term future is here," the Frenchman explained.
"What is important is that a player meets his needs where he is and his values, and I think he integrated very well with the values of our club."
But Bellerin hasn't just been a good addition to the team, he's also been an inspiration and an example to another shining youngster in Alex Iwobi.
"I was looking at Hector because he was someone who was near enough my age," the young forward told Sky Sports News.
"I was looking at the way he did it and I thought maybe I'd have to go out on loan to get experience like he did. I looked up to a few guys and I wanted to do it like them but the fact I did it a different way (without going on loan), I'm proud of that."
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