Hector Bellerin may only have been a first-team regular for a couple of seasons, but he knows exactly what type of player he tends to thrive alongside.
Shkodran Mustafi certainly fits into that category, and the new signing from Valencia is yet to taste defeat in 20 games in an Arsenal shirt.
Bellerin says that is testament to the qualities the Germany international brings to the team - not least his ability to get the best out of his team-mate.
“He has been a great addition to the team,” the Spanish right back told Arsenal Player. “He has adapted really well to the way we play. He likes to come out and look for people up front, and doesn’t kick long ball balls, he looks to play the ball on the floor and that’s really important to the way we play.
“Defensively he has grown since the first day, he is really confident around the other players, he will tell you what to do, he is a World Cup winner as well and a leader. The stats show he is a very positive defender and he is helping us get clean sheets.
“From the first day he was here we got on really well, on and off the pitch. From his time at Valencia, he speaks very good Spanish so that makes it easy - not just with me but other people in the back four.
“I feel very confident when I play with him because I know someone has got my back as well - not just the goalkeeper, you also know Shkodran will be there. I really like playing with him.”
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