Héctor Bellerín expressed his pride after captaining Real Betis in their 3-1 pre-season victory over his former club, Arsenal, in Dublin. The Spanish defender, who spent over a decade with Arsenal, described the match as a deeply special occasion.
Bellerín revealed that he specifically requested to wear the captain’s armband for the fixture. He acknowledged his teammate Marc Bartra for allowing him this opportunity. Speaking after the match, Bellerín stated, “I spoke to Marc during the week and asked him to let me do it, he’s a great teammate.” He added that he “really wanted to take on this wonderful responsibility, give my best in a match like this, and see so many teammates and Mikel [Arteta]. It’s a joy, and I’m grateful for the opportunity life has given me to enjoy this game.”
Betis performance and Bellerín’s reflections
While the emotional focus was on Bellerín, Real Betis delivered a strong collective performance against Arsenal. Bellerín noted the team’s tactical discipline and effectiveness in front of goal. He commented, “It was lovely to enjoy this kind of entertaining match, where possession and control were shared and both sides had chances.” He also praised the team’s solidarity and communication, especially in defence during the first half when they faced challenges.
The 31-year-old full-back spent 10 years at Arsenal, joining their academy as a youngster and eventually becoming club captain before his departure. He remains a popular figure among the Arsenal fanbase. Bellerín mentioned that he had been anticipating the friendly match since its announcement, expressing gratitude for the chance to play against old teammates.
He also expressed happiness for Arsenal’s achievements in the previous season, stating, “it’s been really nice to play against them after they’ve achieved what they’ve achieved last season.” He added, “I spent 10 years over there, always trying to help and trying to see Arsenal where it belongs and it’s nice to finally face them with them being in that position, so I’m very happy for them.”
Building momentum for the new season
Bellerín acknowledged that Arsenal was without several key players for the friendly, but he was pleased with his team’s defensive effort. He views the victory as a significant confidence boost for Real Betis as they prepare for the new Liga campaign. “It’s true that Arsenal is still waiting for some players to arrive and doesn’t have its full squad yet, but it is a very well-drilled team,” Bellerín explained.
He further noted that Arsenal fielded many starters in the first half, and Real Betis “stood our ground.” Bellerín expressed satisfaction with how pre-season is progressing, focusing on the team’s playing style, possession, clinical finishing, defensive solidarity, and teamwork. He believes that maintaining this approach will put them in a strong position for the upcoming season.
The friendly match allowed Arsenal fans to see their former player in action without significant concern for the result, given it was a pre-season fixture. Bellerín‘s comments highlighted his continued affection for his former club and his satisfaction with their recent successes.
The match concluded with Real Betis securing a 3-1 victory.
Source: goal.com
