On February 5 of this year, Hector Bellerin nestled into a red leather chair at the Oxford Union in front of a room full of its members to answer questions about the process of becoming an elite professional athlete. The 22 year old former Barcelona man, who usually turns a lot of heads with outrageous fashion sense, was more subdued than usual in his sartorial choices, donning black pinstripe trousers and a plain white shirt with red and black bands around the arms. His dark hair was left to fall down onto his shoulders rather than tied tightly atop his head as it is when he is on the pitch. His relaxed demeanour suggested a footballer who seemed not at all uncomfortable in the midst of some of the country’s brightest young minds at an elite institution.
Bellerin’s presence at the Oxford Union is a first for an Arsenal player and he represented a rare opportunity for those present to interact with one of football’s most thoughtful young stars. He famously donated £50 for every minute he played at the Under-21 Euros to the victims of the Grenfell Tower disaster. The young Spaniard also possesses a degree in marketing and his intelligence was on display as he considerately answered the members’ questions. When asked about the first time he heard his name sung by Arsenal supporters, his face lit up as he talked about how much it means for a young player to truly feel accepted by the home fans. He also discussed the difference between playing for Barcelona and Arsenal and went on to answer questions about his charity work, hobbies and racism in the sport before the night was through. However, since the Oxford Union released the video of the event online, one of his answers in particular has sent shockwaves through social media and started a war amongst the supporters of the club.
In response to a question about a certain YouTube channel that specialises in Arsenal-related content, Bellerin said “I think it’s so wrong for someone that claims to be a fan, and their success is fed off a failure. How can that be a fan?” His rebuke stopped there, as he would go on to say that the players tend to ignore the outside noise, as it is the opinion and advice of the coaches and manager that matter most of all. He then wrapped up his answer with a light hearted concession: “But they’re entitled to their opinion and if people find it funny then go watch!”
His answer, which was to a direct question about that specific fan video channel, might have been more than the typically demure, inoffensive response a footballer might give to a question like that, but it was far from a scathing indictment. Certainly, it was only a fraction as vitriolic as a typical post-match video from that channel. Yet, the reaction from frequent guests and fans of that platform was swift and angry. The channel itself posted a rebuttal video and some of the most vocal contributors were absolute in their condemnation of Bellerin. The video clip of Bellerin and its resulting reaction caused an instant rift on social media between fans who agreed with him, or at least understood his rationale, and fans who believed him to have been totally out of line.
The “Tape”
Just a few short days later, as the debate was slowly starting to dissipate, the fuse was lit again when a mysterious audio clip surfaced on the internet. In it, a voice, alleged to be Bellerin’s, can be heard having one half of an apparent phone conversation. Ostensibly speaking with his agent, the voice (speaking in English throughout) gripes about having wanted to leave the club in the summer for Barcelona, complains about Arsene Wenger, and claims that 3 FA Cups in 4 years merely “papers over the cracks” of the real problems at the club. On the surface, it appeared to show that Bellerin was, as rumours in the summer suggested, disappointed not to be allowed to leave, but was allegedly told he would be able to go this summer. For a player under fire, such an audio clip, if real, could destroy his relationship with the fans for a long time, and perhaps ultimately force a move away.
However, the veracity of the audio clip quickly came under scrutiny from fans rightfully suspicious of the timing of its release. The voice, which admittedly starts out as a convincing imitation of Bellerin’s unique Spanish-infused Cockney, devolves as the clip goes on into a more traditional London accent. His phraseology is also peculiar for its striking similarities to the rhetoric often espoused on the YouTube channel in question, including the criticisms of the manager and the use of “papering over the cracks” which has become something of a refrain for the most “Wenger Out” inclined contributors to the channel. Additionally, the audio quality was deemed by some with experience in the sound recording industry to have been too good for the car ride in which it was allegedly recorded, with minimal ambient noise and the voice ringing out clear as if it was speaking directly into the microphone. The point was also made that Bellerin, whether speaking to his agent or to a family member, would likely be speaking in Spanish on such a call, and would certainly be unlikely to speak about such delicate matters while in the back of a cab (as was alleged).
Does Anybody Win?
Whether or not the recording is real (and your humble author is firmly on the record in believing it isn’t), or whether one believes Bellerin to be right or wrong in his comments at the Oxford Union, one thing is abundantly clear: there are no winners in this situation. Bellerin’s appearance at the Union was an exciting opportunity for everyone present and he impressed many with his candor and eloquence in his adopted tongue. Despite him delving into his personal life, charitable contributions and offering a unique glimpse into the life of a unique young athlete, the only quote that is likely to be remembered is that one, slightly controversial response to a direct question.
Bellerin has had his struggles this season, and tailed off at the end of last season following a vicious ankle injury, but he is still just 22. When he broke into the first team as a teenager in 2013 and assumed a more regular role a year later following an injury to Mathieu Debuchy, he wowed the Emirates faithful with his world class pace and bundles of energy. He took hold of the starting right back role then and has yet to relinquish it since, becoming a mainstay in the Arsenal XI when fit. He has added a significant amount of bulk to his frame, which some feel has taken away some of his raw pace, but it was necessary for a defender playing every week in the Premier League. However, there are some convinced that he has, in fact, declined since he first broke into the first team. Unfortunately, in a world geared ever more towards instant gratification, his journey from a talented 19 year old that every fan could not wait to see grow up, to a 22 year old being labeled by some as a failure is not particularly surprising. It is not much of a secret that patience is in short supply among Arsenal supporters these days, and he is not the only player to suffer from expectations outpacing the reality of their progression.
However, whether fair or not, Bellerin has found himself in the crosshairs of a very vocal and angry faction of supporters. Already divided by the perpetual debate about Arsene Wenger’s abilities as manager, supporters continue to get wrapped up in drama and debate that force sides to be taken and battle lines to be drawn. The Gunners are playing in the Carabao Cup Final on Sunday against the undisputed best team in the Premier League, Manchester City, but instead of the fans coming together and getting excited for the occasion, apathy, anger and division have prevailed. Hector Bellerin might not have thought anything of his comments that night at the Oxford Union, but for better or worse, he now finds himself as one of the most polarising figures at a club with one of the world’s most polarised fan bases, and nobody wins in that situation.
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