Arsene Wenger has backed Hector Bellerin to become one of the best full backs in Europe.
That comes after Bellerin has come through more difficult times in his young career than some old pros suffer in a lifetime.
Bellerin was booed and greeted with chants of “you’re not fit to wear the shirt” as Arsenal suffered a defeat at Crystal Palace last month.
That shattered the confidence of a young player as Arsenal fans turned on their own which has been a common theme of frustration in recent seasons.
Bellerin, 22, suffered a torrid game at Stoke in his first Premier League start away from home back in December 2014 and was hooked at half time but within months he had established himself as first choice right back with eye catching performances.
The Arsenal fans also shouted abuse at Wenger in front of the players when the team boarded their train back to London following that 3-2 defeat at the Britannia Stadium three years ago.
Quite how anyone survives let alone thrives amid that backdrop is anyone’s guess but Wenger believes Bellerin will be stronger for the experience.
Gunners boss Wenger said: “He is a strong player mentally. I think he has gone through a difficult period but I am convinced he will come back. He will be one of the best full-backs in Europe for sure.
“He’s a player who has a fantastic mentality. He went through a difficult period when he came back from his ankle injury but I never questioned his attitude. He has great spirit.”
Bellerin rushed back from his ankle injury to do a job for the team even before he was back to full fitness and perhaps that affected his performances.
But it was the fans and their support who played a key role in persuading him to sign a six year contract last year when the likes of Barcelona and Manchester City were keen to sign him.
They have been quick to turn which does not reflect well on some fickle fans.
Bellerin will have to play at Stoke again with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain out injured with a hamstring problem which again must make him a worry for the FA Cup final let alone the run-in. Laurent Koscielny could be fit again after missing Southampton.
Wenger himself has some bad memories of Stoke where they have not won since February 2010 and need three points to keep their top four hopes alive.
Wenger said: “If the game is difficult for me and good for the team, I am very happy to take that. I believe that I forget about that and focus on the game always. That’s the most important thing.
“I believe I just want to focus on doing well my job and just focus on Stoke now and see how well I can prepare for Stoke with the team. After that we’ll see at the end of the season how we are.
“Look, if you don’t turn up, you don’t win the game. And I believe the team wants to do well and is united. We have gone through [times when] it was not easy mentally for the players and we had a difficult environment as well. But we were united and we have to stay like that, strong together.
“What I want is just to play and to win. Are we under pressure or not? I think we are because we know what is requested from us, so let’s just focus on our job.”