Hector Bellerin scored his first Premier League goal for Arsenal since May on Wednesday night against Chelsea – and boy, was it a good’un.
The Spaniard hammered home a sensational injury time half-volley to level the scores at The Emirates on the night, securing a vital point for Arsene Wenger’s side against their London rivals.
The Gunners had led the game through Jack Wilshere, but found themselves nearing defeat at the final whistle thanks to goals from Chelsea’s Eden Hazard and Marcos Alonso – the former of the two being a controversial penalty conceded by Bellerin himself.
But the full-back was on hand to redeem himself in brilliant fashion late-on.
Running onto a lose ball on the edge of the box with moments to go, Bellerin looped a sweeping shot past Thibaut Courtois in the Chelsea goal and into the top corner to send the crowd at The Emirates into elation.
GOOAAALLL – Beautiful volley from Bellerin ! 2-2 pic.twitter.com/LGXnuFPPrB
— ArsenalUpdates (@ArsenalEdits___) January 3, 2018
The draw means the Gunners remain unbeaten in nine games in all competitions, and a point keeps them within touching distance of Chelsea and the other teams ahead of them. Currently in sixth, Arsenal are one point behind Tottenham, five behind Liverpool and seven behind Chelsea.
They still however, remain 23 points adrift of runaway leaders Manchester City.
The Arsenal faithful were thrilled with Bellerin’s strike, and his performance on the night …
Hectorrrrr
— Noah (@Xierdan) January 3, 2018
When Chelsea thought they had won then Bellerin scored pic.twitter.com/51nHFqfKEs
— Brian Mbunde™ (@Brianmbunde) January 3, 2018
For a right back that's a quality goal.
— Nick kilty (@NKilty) January 3, 2018
Bellerin with a rocket pic.twitter.com/4UlSMmFW14
— Lacazettes (@Lacazettes) January 3, 2018
Positives for @Arsenal:
– Mesut Özil is a phenomenon.
– Bellerín's best game for Arsenal in a year, maybe Cech's too.
– Ainsley Maitland-Niles is about 100 times better than anyone ever expected.— Messi Minutes (@MessiMinutes) January 3, 2018
Also, something quite nice about Bellerin cancelling out a potential Alonso winner by scoring from an Alsonso clearance.
He just wanted it more.
— arseblog (@arseblog) January 3, 2018
Bellerin had a brilliant night. Topped it off with his goal. Ran Alonso ragged. Considering he runs the right channel alone with no support, he’s really under appreciated. pic.twitter.com/OyOp4fbXOW
— ArseStat (@Arsestat_) January 4, 2018
Penalty aside, Bellerin was fantastic. Been massively underrated this season.
— DaG (@mediocentroEN) January 4, 2018