Revealed: How Fabregas inspired Bellerin to stay at Arsenal

Arsenal right-back Hector Bellerin is already a fan-favourite at the Emirates Stadium, and he’ll have endeared himself to supporters even more with his reasons for rejecting a transfer to Manchester City.

The Spain international recently committed his future to the Gunners with a new long-term contract and a significant pay rise, though it has emerged that he could have earned whatever he wanted at City.

Pep Guardiola was a huge fan of Bellerin and did all he could to lure the youngster to the Etihad Stadium for much of this year.

However, Bellerin’s undying loyalty to Arsenal and manager Arsene Wenger persuaded him to stay, with the 21-year-old grateful to the Gunners boss for his show of faith in him since he made his debut just two years ago.

Bellerin was also not convinced he’d be better off at City after looking at how the likes of Samir Nasri, Gael Clichy, Emmanuel Adebayor and Bacary Sagna had fared since moving there, or how Cesc Fabregas’ career went into decline after leaving Arsenal for Guardiola’s Barcelona in 2011, according to the Guardian.

Arsenal fans have had to deal with star players leaving for bigger clubs over the years, but will be pleased to finally see some real loyalty from an up-and-coming talent who recognises Arsenal’s contribution to his successful career so far.

Bellerin’s rise has been compared to that of Fabregas in his Arsenal days, though it seems the defender has learned lessons from the Chelsea man’s dip since turning his back on the north London giants.