Player Focus: Monreal and Bellerín Emerging as Best Full-Backs in England

Arsenal's shock defeat at Hillsborough in midweek highlighted a number of things, not least that Wenger's men are far from infallible. The visitors may have fielded a weakened side on Tuesday night but the 3-0 defeat to Sheffield Wednesday served as a reminder that the Gunners can't be complacent following an impressive run of form.

One particular feature from the game saw Arsenal's full-backs struggle, with Mathieu Debuchy and Kieran Gibbs’ failings only strengthening the position of their competitors in the right and left-back berths as Wenger's first choice. Indeed, the Spanish pairing of Héctor Bellerín and Nacho Monreal have emerged among the strongest full-backs in the league for different reasons.

Much has been made of Bellerín's rapid development at right-back after Wenger was widely mocked for failing to bring in defensive reinforcements last summer. That Bellerín was forced into action due to Debuchy's numerous injury problems since a move to the Emirates was highlighted as a real error of judgement from the manager, though the former Barcelona graduate has gone on to excel and indeed usurp the Frenchman's input.

The 20-year old's performance against Bayern recently was perhaps the truest test of his credentials. After a very difficult start against an inspired Douglas Costa, who bamboozled Bellerín on occasion in the first half, the youngster came out on top in their individual battle after the interval and his pace and energy proved a weapon into the dying embers of the game as Arsenal secured a late victory. Wenger was certainly suitably impressed, stating after the game how pleased he was that Bellerín was ultimately able to overcome the in form Brazilian in an intriguing match-up.

Meanwhile, a WhoScored.com rating of 7.52 in the league is enough to earn a place in the team of the season so far at right-back, with his attacking influence again pivotal to that score. That no player has created more clear-cut chances in this season's Premier League (7) shows how unfortunate Bellerín is to have just a solitary assist to his name thus far. A further 1.9 dribbles per game highlight his ability to drive Arsenal forward on the counter, while his averages in terms of tackles, interceptions and clearances per game have all risen from last season.

Bellerín, though, is certainly the more attack-minded of the Gunners' full-backs, with Nacho Monreal playing an understated but increasingly crucial role on the opposite flank in maintaining a balance to the side. The two work in tandem much like Ivanovic and Azpilicueta were able to last season, with the left-sided player representing the dependable option to counteract his teammates' more gung-ho approach. Bellerín to now has certainly been more tactically considerate than the aforementioned Serbian at times last season, but Monreal's solid displays have enabled not only Alexis Sanchez to thrive ahead of him but Bellerin to utilise his impressive physical traits on the opposing flank, ensuring that there is defensive cover when needed.

That certainly wasn't always the case. Monreal's first season at the Emirates, having taken the same path as compatriot Santi Cazorla from Malaga, was far from convincing. Serving more often than not as the understudy to Kieran Gibbs, Monreal started just 13 league matches in 2013/14, securing a very modest rating of 6.67 from WhoScored. However, his role, and indeed Bellerín's, in improving Arsenal's defensive record this year should not be underestimated.

Monreal went on to start 26 league games for the club last season, effectively displacing Gibbs as Arsenal's first choice left-back, and is the only Arsenal outfielder to play every minute of the current Premier League campaign. His rating of 7.43 this season is up still from an excellent 7.33 in 2014/15 and while he may have had his doubters ahead of the turn of the year Monreal has very much won over the Arsenal faithful. Formerly targeted as a weak link in the side, it's difficult to remember the last time Monreal was really exposed by any opponent in 2015.

Not only does the 29-year old use the ball very well, with a strong 86.2% pass accuracy, but he is contributing more in the attacking phase himself, registering 2 assists from 1.2 key passes per game. That said it's his reading of the game at the back that continues to offer Arsenal the balance needed to allow their more creative players to flourish. An average of 2.7 interceptions per game is bettered only by Laurent Koscielny at Arsenal.

The form of the Gunners’ first choice full-backs is certainly bad news for the likes of Debuchy and Gibbs, but for the club as a whole both Bellerín and Monreal are proving to be exceptional, which is something few would have predicted this time last year. There is a case to be made for both being the best players in the league in their respective positions right now.

Are Monreal and Bellerín the best full-backs in the Premier League at present? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below