Hector Bellerin has enjoyed a breakthrough season.

Profiting from the misfortune to befall Mathieu Debuchy in his maiden Arsenal season not once, but twice, the young Spaniard has grabbed his opportunity with both hands.

Speaking in the Arsenal matchday programme ahead of the FA Cup game against Middlesbrough on Sunday at the Emirates, Hector revealed his pride at playing for Arsenal and how he is developing.

He said

“Suddenly you find yourself playing every week and it’s a nice feeling because it’s not as if you are playing for just any team, you are playing for Arsenal.

“So the fact that I am playing every week for Arsenal, at just 19 years old, is something that I am really proud of.

“I’m really grateful to the people who have given me the chance, and the fact that we are getting some wins as well is really nice and I’m very happy about it.

“I just want to work harder to show the coach that I am ready to play the next game as well. That’s how it has to be.

“You can’t take anything for granted because you can have a bad game and then you will find yourself on the bench.

“So whatever the performances are like, you need to keep working every week and I think that’s the reason why I’m here at the moment.”

As we all try to work out what squad Arsene Wenger will play on Sunday against Middlesbrough, it’s worth noting that Arsenal.com tend to produce articles from players who will feature in the upcoming game.

With Gabriel reportedly struggling with his English, it wouldn’t be beyond the realms of possibility to see Wenger opt to play Bellerin and Nacho Monreal alongside the new boy in order to benefit from their ability to speak Spanish.