Hector Bellerin Questions Sincerity Of Fans On ArsenalFanTV

By The Editor
on 15th February 2018

Hector Bellerin has caused a stir after speaking openly about the fan channel…

Arsenal star Hector Bellerin has criticised fans who regularly appear on ArsenalFanTV and questioned their loyalty given that most of their success comes after defeats suffered by the team.

The fan channel is the largest one of its kind on YouTube, boasting over 650,000 subscribers, with fans voicing their opinions after every Arsenal game.

While the concept is something most people would welcome, the channel’s popularity has gone through the roof due to post-match rants following defeats.

Indeed, a quick glance at ArsenalFanTV’s highest viewed videos when speaking to fans after a game came after three big defeats – the 4-0 loss at Liverpool in August, the 5-1 thrashing at Bayern, and the 3-0 humbling at Crystal Palace last March.

It’s those instances that Bellerin was referring to, and he couldn’t comprehend how a fan’s main income comes following a defeat for their club.

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“It does sometimes pop up on your timeline. I see it sometimes, some friends say ‘oh have you heard what that guy on Arsenal Fan TV said,” Bellering told the Oxford Union.

“It’s so wrong for someone who claims to be a fan and their success is fed off a failure. How can that be a fan? They’re just people hustling, trying to make money their way, which everyone is entitled to do.

“If a coach comes to me and says you’ve done something bad I’m going to take that advice. If someone from Arsenal Fan TV says this guy needs to do this or that I’m not going to listen to him.”

Bellerin seems very aware of the social media landscape, probably more than most of his peers. The Spaniard has started a media agency himself and it’s clear to see why when you hear him discussing such topics.

It’s a really interesting debate and one that definitely requires more dialogue, especially with a new generation of players entering the game who’re exposed to it more often with their heavy presence on social media.

One thing to point out, and Bellerin does mention it during the Q&A above, the former Barcelona man came under vicious criticism at Crystal Palace last season during the match, and that may have played a part in his assessment.

Check out his full address in the video above.