Wenger: Bellerin’s Arsenal progress has been sensational

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has made a career out of finding diamonds in the rough, and in full-back Hector Bellerin, he believes he has uncovered another.

The 21-year-old Spaniard has come on leaps and bounds in the past 12 months, making 36 league appearances last term, and has not missed a minute of domestic action so far this season.

The speedster has developed into one of the best right-backs in the world, and Wenger admits he is desperate to secure Bellerin’s signature on a longer-term deal.

“He has been absolutely fantastic,” Wenger said. “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 – he didn’t play.

“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.

“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.

“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.

“He came at a very, very young age of 16. I think he is a real Arsenal player.”