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When Hector Bellerin burst onto the scene at Arsenal as an exciting youngster, he looked destined to become one of the best players in the world in his position. Under Arsene Wenger's tutelage, he made the right-back spot his own as a 20-year-old and turned heads across Europe with a string of eye-catching displays.
However, a combination of poor form and injuries have seen Bellerin fall down the pecking order at Arsenal, with Mikel Arteta preferring to use veteran defender Cedric Soares at right-back. He seems to have lost a yard of pace and lacks conviction in the final third, as his career continues to falter despite his best efforts.
The Spaniard has featured quite regularly for Arsenal this season, but he looks a shadow of his former self and blows hot and cold far too often to be relied upon. In 31 appearances in all competitions, Bellerin has recorded just four assists, while he has managed to find the back of the net once.
Bellerin is just 26 years old and can't be written off completely, but Arsenal are likely to cash in on him this summer to address other areas of concern. There is currently a dearth of quality right-backs in world football, so the Gunners might need to pull a rabbit out of their hat to replace one of their longest-serving players.
On that note, here are five players who they could turn to this summer if Bellerin is sold by the club.
#5 Ainsley Maitland-Niles | Arsenal
At the start of the season, it looked like Ainsley Maitland-Niles could take Bellerin's spot at right-back. However, the England international was used as a squad player by Arteta, as he was deployed in several positions in the first half of the season.
Maitland-Niles secured a short-term loan move to West Bromwich Albion in January to get more game time under his belt. Since moving to the Hawthorns, the versatile Englishman has caught the eye with a handful of energetic displays, proving that his long-term future could well be as a right-back.
The 23-year-old is set to return to Arsenal at the end of the season and could well be given a chance to impress at right-back. Arteta is likely to assess his in-house options before dipping into the transfer market, so Maitland-Niles could get an extended run of games at the start of next season.
#4 Lucas Vasquez | Real Madrid
Lucas Vasquez is one of the most versatile players in world football and could emerge as an intriguing option for Arsenal this summer. The Spaniard is likely to leave Real Madrid at the end of the season and could secure a transfer for a cut-price fee due to his age and contractual situation.
The 29-year-old is primarily a winger, but Zinedine Zidane has used him as a right-back to great effect over the years. Vasquez is a fantastic athlete and is capable of making contributions at both ends of the pitch due to his versatility. If Arsenal decide to make a move for him, he could well be the answer to their right-back woes in the short term.
Vasquez is also a proven winner and could be a valuable addition to an Arsenal squad that seems to lack character at the moment.
#3 Youcef Atal | Nice
Youcef Atal has quietly made a name for himself as one of the most exciting defenders in world football, as he continues to impress in Ligue 1 for Nice. Known for his electric pace, dribbling ability and crossing, the 24-year-old has all the tools required to become a top-class player in the coming months.
Arsenal have been linked with the Algerian in the past, but a move never came to fruition. If the Gunners decide to make a move for him this summer, they are unlikely to have a free run at him, with Paris Saint-Germain reportedly keeping tabs on him.
Arsenal loanee William Saliba could also have a part to play in the transfer, with the French youngster spending the second half of the 2020-21 season on loan at the Ligue 1 club.
#2 Max Aarons | Norwich City
Max Aarons impressed in the Premier League last season, but Norwich City failed to avoid the drop despite showing flashes of their brilliance in the top-flight. The Canaries took the Championship by storm in the 2020-21 season and secured promotion immediately, with Aarons playing a starring role under Daniel Farke.
Blessed with blistering pace, Aarons has rubbed shoulders with some of the best attackers in England over the past two seasons and come out on top a handful of times. The 21-year-old has also gained plaudits for his crossing ability and has proved to be one of the most exciting young defenders in the country.
Aarons is set to play in the Premier League next season, but it remains to be seen whether that will be for Norwich City or some other club.
#1 Tariq Lamptey | Brighton & Hove Albion
Tariq Lamptey showed promise after making his senior debut at Chelsea, but the diminutive Englishman secured a move to Brighton to get more game time under his belt. Before suffering a long-term injury, the 20-year-old was one of the most exciting players to watch in the Premier League, as he impressed with his pace, dribbling ability and crosses.
Lamptey was tipped to achieve big things when he burst onto the scene at Chelsea, so Arsenal can do much worse than pay a substantial fee to secure his signature. Bayern Munich kept tabs on him last summer, but the Bavarians decided to pursue a cut-price deal for Bouna Sarr instead.
Lamptey is some player to watch in full swing and is capable of dominating the right flank despite his stature. Arsenal have been credited with an interest, but it remains to be seen if the Gunners hierarchy will sanction a big-money move for him this summer.
