Deadline Day: Hector Bellerin close to Arsenal exit, expected to join Real Betis

Eras are hard to define, but it looks like it is the end of one at Arsenal, as veteran Hector Bellerin is reported to have agreed to terms to join La Liga side Real Betis. The announcement will mark the end of a decorated decade at the Emirates for the right back.

Players come and go, but the departure of Bellerin hits a little differently. Bellerin has become a cult hero of sorts for many Arsenal fans for his unique style, his breakneck speed, and his love of the club. While he certainly had his fair share of accolades at the Emirates, most notably three FA Cup titles, his impact was not merely on the pitch, but off as well. Hector was an outspoken champion of environmental and women’s rights and represented the best of Arsenal. While his fashion sense became something of a meme, he was always undeniably and unabashedly himself.

This move closes out one of the longer running stories of the transfer window, as he made it known that he was seeking to leave the club after last season, making it a matter of “when,” not “if,” he left the club. His departure leaves not just a gaping hole in leadership, but also at the right back position, where Arsenal are currently spiraling into a deep, dark pit of futility. While many will rue the massive chasm in the depth chart, others, myself included, will mourn the departure of one of the best players of the last decade.

We will update the situation as events warrant.