Bellerin Insists He Wants To Stay At Arsenal Despite Barcelona Links

Hector Bellerin has insisted he wants to remain at Arsenal despite prolonged speculation linking the defender with a return to Barcelona.

The 22-year-old only signed a new long-term deal back in November but that has not prevented him continually being linked with a summer exit.

However, Bellerin has now spoken out and says that he loves living in London and the reason that he signed his new deal is because he wants to stay for a long time.

“I signed my contract for a reason,” he told the Daily Mail. “I signed it because I wanted to be here. I wouldn’t have done it otherwise.”

“Arsenal is the club that gave me the chance to be a professional and since the first time I met with the boss he’s always said if I progressed the right way I could be an Arsenal player for a long time.

“I’ve been here nearly six years and I love London. I’m still discovering the city.

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‘The other day, I was out in the car in east London thinking I’d never been there before. That’s what I like about the city.”

Bellerin is also optimistic ahead of the FA Cup final, pointing to Arsenal’s 3-0 win over Chelsea at the start of the season as evidence that they can triumph at Wembley on Saturday.

“It was one of our best games of the season. One of those you don’t want to end, it was a joy. Chelsea are a big rival, always a team we want to beat. Hopefully we can emulate it in the FA Cup,” he added.

“In the league, they deserve to be winners. They’ve been consistent and played some great football. But this is a final, one game and it’s a competition we love.

“We’re going to grab our chance because we need to make amends for the rest of the season and hopefully go home with the FA Cup.

“The fans will be happy and we’ll be happy as players. When you’re a kid thinking of being a footballer you’re thinking about lifting trophies.”