Hector Bellerin believes it was important for Arsenal to show patience in Mikel Arteta’s project for the Gunners to succeed.

NUREMBERG, GERMANY: Hector Bellerin of Arsenal is challenged by Christoph Daferner and Johannes Geis of 1. FC Nuernberg during the pre-season friendly match between 1. FC Nürnberg and Arsenal F.C. at Max-Morlock-Stadion on July 08, 2022. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
NUREMBERG, GERMANY: Hector Bellerin of Arsenal is challenged by Christoph Daferner and Johannes Geis of 1. FC Nuernberg during the pre-season friendly match between 1. FC Nürnberg and Arsenal F.C. at Max-Morlock-Stadion on July 08, 2022. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)

Arsenal have had quite a high turnover of players over the last few years, taking a few transfer windows to get the squad closer to what Mikel Arteta wants it to look like.

The Gunners still aren’t quite there yet, as the current squad looks a bit thin. But the first-choice players are clearly a significant improvement on a few years ago, considering they sit at the top of the Premier League table after 12 games.

Inevitably, there had to be some casualties for Arsenal to get where they are now. Various players had to be moved on, some of whom have struggled not to be bitter about their departure.

Hector Bellerin is one of those who lost his place under Arteta, leaving on loan last summer before moving on permanently this year.

Yet the right-back has praised Arsenal for their commitment to Arteta’s process.

“In football, in general, there is less and less patience,” Bellerin said (via Sport Witness). “There is clear evidence of how important the process is.

“In England, it has happened with Guardiola, Klopp, and Arteta. Projects that have faces and eyes have to be prepared, and the process is long. Confidence and continuing to improve is important. Rome wasn’t built in a day.”

April 29, 2021: Hector Bellerin of Arsenal FC during the Europa League semifinal first leg football match played between Villarreal CF and Arsenal FC at Estadio de la Ceramica in Villarreal, Spain. Copyright: Gerard Franco
April 29, 2021: Hector Bellerin of Arsenal FC during the Europa League semifinal first-leg football match played between Villarreal CF and Arsenal FC at Estadio de la Ceramica in Villarreal, Spain. Copyright: Gerard Franco

Even if Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool aren’t performing quite so well this season, it’s big praise to put Arteta alongside Klopp and Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola, who have both had huge success since taking their current jobs in England.

If Arteta could win as much as those two with Arsenal, he’d be an unmitigated success.

We’re a long way from that right now, but that “process” Bellerin mentions seems to be heading in the right direction.