Arsenal's Bellerin moves to Real Betis on loan

Arsenal's longest-serving player has found an ideal time to seek greener pastures.

After a decade in north London, right-back Hector Bellerin has joined Real Betis on a one-year loan.

The agreement does not include a permanent option, The Athletic's David Ornstein reports.

It is understood that Bellerin will take a pay cut to secure the temporary switch after falling out of favor with Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta. The 26-year-old Spaniard has not featured for the club during the 2021-22 campaign after making 25 league appearances last season.

Arsenal currently sit rock bottom of the Premier League on three defeats from three with zero goals scored and nine conceded.

Bellerin joined Arsenal's academy in 2011 from Barcelona's La Masia setup and earned his senior debut in September 2013 when he was brought on for Arteta in the 95th minute of a League Cup win over West Bromwich Albion on penalties.

Bellerin would go on to make 239 first-team appearances for Arsenal, winning three FA Cups in the process. He was also selected to the PFA Team of the Year in 2015-16.

Once an explosive athlete regarded as one of the Premier League's fastest players, Bellerin's progress has slowed due to a series of injuries, including an ACL tear in January 2019.

Arsenal are working on a deal to replace Bellerin with Bologna right-back Takehiro Tomiyasu, who Ornstein reports will join for £16 million.