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Hector Bellerin is 'going backwards at Arsenal' and Ainsley Maitland-Niles is more effective, says Tony Cascarino

Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Hector Bellerin has "gone backwards for Arsenal" and is being shown up by Ainsley Maitland-Niles, according to Tony Cascarino.

The defender, who has long been touted as one of the best right-backs in the country, is one of just two outfield ever-presents for the Gunners in the Premier League this season along with Nacho Monreal.

However, despite being deployed in a more advanced wing-back role, Bellerin is yet to record a goal or an assist in 1,530 minutes of league action.

"I don't know what has happened to Hector Bellerin, who has really gone backwards for Arsenal," Cascarino wrote in The Times.

"He was touted as one of the country's best right backs, supposedly wanted by Barcelona, but he hardly got a kick in the first half last night. He was offering very little in attack and he was caught out defensively on occasions.

"We often question Arsene Wenger's development of young players at Arsenal, and this could be another piece of evidence against the Frenchman.

"The contrast was stark between Bellerin and Ainsley Maitland-Niles, who was so much more effective at left back."