Hector Bellerin is said to have suffered Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) when he was in action against Chelsea.
Arsenal were running away when they were in action against Chelsea in a 2-0 win. A thunderbolt from Alexandre Lacazette and a header for Laurent Koscielny in the first half was enough to seal the victory against Maurizio Sarri’s side on Saturday.
However, the Gunners suffered a massive blow when their right-back Hector Bellerin was forced to be withdrawn in the 72nd minute when he was trying to win the ball back. Unai Emery told that the injury does not look good at the first impression in the post-match press conference.
Somewhat graphic video (may be of interest to some): unfortunate injury mechanism for Arsenal’s Hector Bellerin this morning. Non contact + change of direction, can see tibia (lower leg bone) shift forward and backward on close up. Significant concern for ACL/MCL injury pic.twitter.com/dauog6mGmh
— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) January 19, 2019
“We have to wait until tomorrow, it’s his knee. The first prediction is it can be an important injury. I hope not, but first impressions are not positive.”
The Spaniard took a scan yesterday which confirmed that the 23-year-old has ruptured his Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) which will keep him out for the rest of the season. It is also understood that the defender will miss at least six months of football action.
Arsenal have lost Hector Bellerin for the rest of the season following a rupture of his cruciate knee ligament, according to the Guardian 🤕 pic.twitter.com/ScfB1BVGqX
— Goal (@goal) January 21, 2019
It is surely a massive blow for the Gunners who look authoritative in the defensive and offensive part through the right flank when Bellerin was part of the side. Without his presence, they have shipped 8 goals in 4 Premier League games this term.
The defender was struggling with a calf strain which kept him for nearly a month. The results were pretty ordinary when Arsenal were without their right-back.
However, Unai Emery is convinced about the backups for Hector Bellerin and insisted that he would not look into the transfer market at this point of time. Stephen Lichsteiner, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, and Carl Jenkinson are the available right-backs at the moment.
Arsenal are unlikely to sign a replacement for Hector Bellerin this month even if scans confirm he will miss the rest of the season with a serious knee injury.https://t.co/yFIK9WlWo3
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 21, 2019
“We have Ainsley, playing with good ‘pieces’. He played well today and can help us playing at right-back or right winger. Also Lichsteiner is another player who can play there. We have the players. I don’t forget Jenkinson who has played some matches and can be used if we need him.”
It is has been a tale of two ends for Unai Emery. Henrikh Mkhitaryan is closing in on to his full fitness and on the other way, Hector Bellerin is forced to be withdrawn with this horrific blow.
Arsenal will play Manchester United in the fourth round of the FA Cup at the Emirates on Friday.
