Héctor Bellerín Reflects on Emotional Arsenal Exit Amid Betis Success

Héctor Bellerín, the accomplished right-back for Real BetisTeam·Real Betis, has once again offered a candid perspective on his departure from ArsenalTeam·Arsenal, a club he called home for a decade. In an interview published on August 5, 2026, Bellerín articulated the deep emotional ties that made leaving north London a challenging experience, even as he acknowledged the natural progression of his career.

"When you leave a club like Arsenal, it’s scary. It hurts, mate: look, however much you know that your moment is over, it was your home. You were there for 10 years, you leave friends behind, a life … you don't know what you are going to find on the other side. I was lucky," Bellerín stated, reflecting on the uncertainty that accompanies such a significant transition. He emphasized that Arsenal "still feels like family" to him, underscoring the enduring affection he holds for his former club, confirming he watches every match and harbors "no hard feelings."

Bellerín made his permanent move to Real BetisTeam·Real Betis on July 18, 2023, signing a five-year contract that extends until June 2028. His time in Seville has been marked by notable achievements, including winning the Copa del ReyCompetition·Copa del Rey, an experience he previously described as a positive counterpoint to the difficulty of leaving ArsenalTeam·Arsenal. He also credited his former teammate and manager, Mikel Arteta, with playing a crucial role in extending his career, remarking, "Bloody hell, I owe Mikel so much."

The 2025/26 season saw Bellerín maintain a consistent presence for Real BetisTeam·Real Betis in La LigaCompetition·La Liga, making 30 appearances and accumulating 1,840 minutes on the pitch. His offensive contributions were significant, registering 2 goals and 3 assists throughout the league campaign, earning an average FotMob rating of 6.96. A standout moment arrived on April 24, 2026, when Bellerín scored a crucial last-minute equalizer in stoppage time against Real MadridTeam·Real Madrid, securing a valuable 1-1 draw for his side. His strong form continued into the latter stages of the season, with 90-minute performances and a 7.4 FotMob rating in home victories against LevanteTeam·Levante on May 23, 2026, and ElcheTeam·Elche on May 12, 2026. Beyond domestic competition, Bellerín also featured for Real BetisTeam·Real Betis in the Europa LeagueCompetition·Europa League during the 2025/26 season.

In terms of broader competition outcomes, Real BetisTeam·Real Betis participated in the Champions LeagueCompetition·Champions League and secured a cup victory in the 2025/26 season, highlighting their growing stature. Meanwhile, ArsenalTeam·Arsenal concluded the same season as Premier LeagueCompetition·Premier League champions, a testament to the club's progress since Bellerín's departure. The two clubs are set to meet in a pre-season friendly on August 5, 2026, offering Bellerín an immediate opportunity to face his former teammates.