Hector Bellerin hailed assistant manager Steve Bould and described the former defender as one of the key people in his Arsenal career.

The young right back only came into his own last season after an injury left Debuchy sidelined for months. The Spaniard stepped in and was a revelation to the team. This season he continued to impress until a small injury appeared to hamper his progress. However, I’m sure he’ll be back to his usual self in no time.

Speaking recently, Bellerin mentioned Bould as someone at the club who’s helped his progress and defensive game.

“When I first came to Arsenal, I didn’t know how to defend,” Bellerin revealed.

“If there was a person who I had to identify as helping me a lot, that would have to be Bould. I was a winger but from the Under-18s up, I remember him just showing me the basics.”

The defender continued, “Even then, I remember him sometimes holding his head like, ‘What is Hector doing?’ He’s been one of the key people in my career. He’s one of the reasons I’m here now.

“Steve was a top defender himself and has so much knowledge. Sometimes when he’s speaking, I just laugh because he makes it look so easy and so obvious, and you haven’t realised before. I really enjoy learning with him.”

Bouldie probably doesn’t get the recognition he deserves, at least not publicly. The man is known for being one of the best defenders we’ve ever had and it therefore stands to reason that behind the scenes he’s doing huge amounts of work to try and stop those goals trickling in.

It’s comforting to see one of the players paying tribute to him and recognising his hard work.