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Barcelona’s vice-president Jordi Mestre has heaped praise on Hector Bellerin , as speculation mounts that the Arsenal right-back could return to the Nou Camp.
The 21-year-old Spain international, born in Barcelona, started his career in the club’s youth La Masia youth academy before moving to north London in 2011.
Bellerin has developed into one of the Premier League’s leading full-backs, having broken into Arsene Wenger’s first team two seasons ago.
The youngster’s development has reportedly caught the eye of his former club, and Mestre has now talked up Bellerin.
"We've already seen him as a Cule [Barcelona follower]," he said. "He's a great player, there's no doubt about that.
"Wenger convinced him to move and promised him something which we couldn't.
Show all 22 1 /22Hull vs Arsenal player ratings Hull vs Arsenal player ratings Eldin Jakupovic – 5 out of 10 Did well to save Alexis Sanchez’s penalty in the first half and was kept reasonably busy, but did a dutiful job in tough circumstances.
Hull vs Arsenal player ratings Ahmed Elmohamady – 6 out of 10 Strived to gallop forwards wherever possible but, like many of his team-mates, his threat was nullified once Hull had gone down to 10 men.
Hull vs Arsenal player ratings Jake Livermore – 5 out of 10 Sent off for handball, admittedly harshly, after an indifferent start to the match.
Hull vs Arsenal player ratings Curtis Davies – 7 out of 10 Another strong display from the former Birmingham City defender but he was, nonetheless, part of a back-four which conceded four goals to their more illustrious guests.
Hull vs Arsenal player ratings Andy Robertson – 6 out of 10 Delivered a display full of the exuberance and determination we have come to expect but struggled to make his mark.
Hull vs Arsenal player ratings Tom Huddlestone – 6 out of 10 Appeared to be swamped in midfield in the second period as Arsenal pushed hard on the accelerator.
Hull vs Arsenal player ratings Sam Clucas – 7 out of 10 Another impressive and industrious outing from the bargain buy midfielder. Rightly named as the hosts’ man of the match by the game sponsors.
Hull vs Arsenal player ratings David Meyler – 6 out of 10 Battled hard in the middle of the action but was left badly exposed once his side had their numbers cut by Jake Livermore’s dismissal.
Hull vs Arsenal player ratings Robert Snodgrass – 7 out of 10 Yet again the main outlet for Hull and scored a brilliant penalty to give them a fighting chance in the dying moments.
Hull vs Arsenal player ratings Abel Hernandez – 6 out of 10 Posed a genuine threat to Petr Cech’s goal, especially in the opening exchanges, but wilted as the match progressed.
Hull vs Arsenal player ratings Adama Diomande – 6 out of 10 Sacrificed just before the interval to accommodate Mike Phelan’s plans for life in the wake of Jake Livermore’s red card.
Hull vs Arsenal player ratings Petr Cech – 6 out of 10 Precious little to do for the former Chelsea goalkeeper but, whether unlucky or not, he did give away a penalty which may have let Hull back in.
Hull vs Arsenal player ratings Hector Bellerin – 7 out of 10 Always a threat on the counter, the young Spaniard is becoming more accomplished defensively too.
Hull vs Arsenal player ratings Shkodran Mustafi – 7 out of 10 Looked more composed than his debut against Southampton last weekend and appears to be forming a strong partnership with Laurent Koscielny.
Hull vs Arsenal player ratings Laurent Koscielny – 7 out of 10 A dominant presence at the back yet again, stifling any Hull attempts to break the door down.
Hull vs Arsenal player ratings Nacho Monreal – 7 out of 10 Showed a willingness to get forwards to support his team-mates in attack but, importantly, made the runs back whenever possession was squandered.
Hull vs Arsenal player ratings Francis Coquelin – 7 out of 10 An authoritative figure in the middle of the park for the north Londoners, all the more important when Hull went down to 10 men.
Hull vs Arsenal player ratings Santi Cazorla – 7 out of 10 Got stuck in after Jake Livermore’s sending off to help Arsenal take advantage of the man advantage in midfield, cutting up play and offloading quickly.
Hull vs Arsenal player ratings Mesut Ozil – 7 out of 10 Ghosted in and out of play but was so effective when he was in the thick of things for Arsene Wenger’s side.
Hull vs Arsenal player ratings Theo Walcott – 7 out 10 Scored a majestic goal, following a deft flick from Alex Iwobi, to put the Gunners in control after a menacing first-half display in East Yorkshire.
Hull vs Arsenal player ratings Alex Iwobi – 8 out of 10 Was Arsenal’s best outlet going forward, doing all the work for the opener and setting up Theo Walcott wonderfully after the restart.
Hull vs Arsenal player ratings Alexis Sanchez – 8 out of 10 Fortunate to be accredited with the opener after excellent work by Alex Iwobi before then suffering misfortune when his penalty was saved by Eldin Jakupovic. No luck required for his second, an emphatic strike at the end.
"We could not promise him that within two years he would be playing in Dani Alves' place."
Alves, Barcelona’s first-choice right-back between 2008 and 2016, joined Juventus on a free transfer at the end of last season.
Mestre also related Bellerin’s situation to that of other La Masia youth products who left in search of regular football and then returned as established players in their own right.
"Look at the cases of Cesc [Fabregas], [Gerard] Pique, [Jordi] Alba and Denis Suarez ... I hope the same thing will happen with [Sergi] Samper too.
"It's positive that [these players] get minutes at other clubs. It is a dynamic which has always provided good results for players that carry the Barça DNA in their blood."
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