Bell rung: Hector didn’t know the score when he left

After taking a Marcus Alonso elbow to the face in the process of conceding the first goal in Arsenal’s 3-1 loss to Chelsea, Hector Bellerin was clearly hurt. We still don’t know the extent of the injury, but head injuries are no joke; Wenger immediately substituted him, and after the game, revealed that Bellerin did not know that Chelsea had scored. He went on to say

“The decision was for me very quick. You have to respect that. It’s the head. I think one of the particularities of the game today is that referees are much more severe with tackles on the ground and let much more go with elbows in the face. It’s not only today but in many games I see that.”

For all the criticisms of Arsene Wenger and his decisions, he got this one 100% right - the general way of approaching head injuries seems to be “walk it off son”, which is a stupid, faux-macho, dangerous way to approach quite possibly the most threatening injury a player can face.

I’m not in a great mood after this game, obviously, but I am happy that Hector Bellerin was removed from it and I hope that his head recovers and that he has no lingering issues, because that’s much more important than anything that went on today.