Hector Bellerin has now shared his admiration for the work Mikel Arteta is doing at Arsenal since arriving at the club in 2019.
Bellerin was speaking to Sky Sports in an exclusive interview and discussed his own departure from Arsenal as well as Arteta’s fortunes.
Of course, Bellerin left the club for FC Barcelona in September of last year having fallen down the pecking order under his former teammate.
However, the defender was still very complimentary of his compatriot.
Bellerin said: “Mikel is such a great coach, he’s been my team-mate and he was great.
“He’s a wonderful coach and I’m glad they’re finding the way to play that the coach has always wanted.
“He’s found the right players and he’s found the support from the fans again.
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Bellerin continued: “He’s a coach that is always constantly learning and I think that’s what’s good about him.
“He’s able to adapt and learn from his mistakes. He’s able to become a new Arteta every season.”
And that learning curve has been very evident at Arsenal this season.
Hector Bellerin has been so impressed with Arteta’s evolution at Arsenal
Although Arsenal looked so complete at times last season, Mikel Arteta saw it necessary to make considerable changes to his side.
Declan Rice’s arrival as a number eight appeared to signal a desire for Arsenal to be more robust this season.
Moreover, the signing of Jurrien Timber looked to give Arteta the option to invert on both sides of his defence.
Arteta has rarely stood still at Arsenal, as Bellerin has recognised.
And it’ll certainly be interesting to see where the Spaniard targets improvements in his side next.
Although his team has become more robust, it feels as if something has been lost in their creativity.
And it will now be a challenge for Arteta to find the right balance.
Martin Odegaard’s absence has been a key factor, a player who is now expected to return for the trip to Brentford.
Either way, it certainly bodes well that Bellerin is reflecting on his time at Arsenal so fondly.
And he’s not the only former player who has eventually become a fan of the club.