Hector Bellerin facing 'difficult' second year at Arsenal

Friday 17 July 2015 13:12, UK

Arsene Wenger has urged Hector Bellerin to maintain his high standards amid reports the full-back is to be offered a new contract.

Several national newspapers reported on Friday that the 20-year-old will be given a new deal which will include a pay rise in recognition of what was an excellent first season for the Gunners.

But while Wenger admits the young Spaniard was one of the breakout players for his side last year, he feels it will be a challenge to replicate that form this time around.

Wenger said: "He is one of the players who has emerged last year and has had a very good season.

"Bellerin and (Francis) Coquelin are the two players who were not necessarily planned last season to come out (and be involved in the team), they have to confirm (themselves) this season, and that is always very difficult to produce the same performance in the second season, so that is their challenge.

"But Hector is a very mature, very focused player, and I am confident he will have a good season again."

Wenger also expressed his surprise at the decision by Manchester United to sell former Arsenal captain Robin van Persie to Fenerbahce.

"He is a huge loss to English football because he is still a great footballer,” he said. “He was one of the best I ever managed, a man with an exceptional technique.

"I don't know what happened or why he left Manchester United, but I have to tell you that he is a great loss to the Premier League."