“DON’T TRY ANYTHING, JUST DO IT”

“Don’t try anything, just do it.”

Hector Bellerin was 15 and had just been pulled to the side of a Barcelona academy training session by coach Victor Sanchez.

“You’re on free-kicks in the next game. Think you’ll score?”

“Well I’m going to try,” Hector responded.

“Don’t try anything, just do it.

Sanchez’s words have stayed with Hector since, his journey from La Masia to London testament to a quote reflected in the first few years of his burgeoning career.

A right winger who, in his own words, “didn’t know how to defend” when he arrived at the club in 2011, four years on and Hector has established himself as a regular in the Arsenal back four.

Praise has arrived from many sources, notably from Gunners legend Lee Dixon, who stated in last month’s edition of this magazine that Hector “will go on to become a really top full back”.

His development has been recognised back home too. Hector made his Spain Under-21 debut this March and was voted Catalan Young Player of the Year eight months later.

So there’s no doubt that the future promises much for Hector. But where did his story start? The charismatic defender sat down with the Arsenal Magazine recently to take us right back to the very beginning.

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