Hector Bellerin has revealed he feared an injury setback after a spasm in his leg caused the Arsenal star to wake up in pain, concerned that ‘something had happened’.
The Spaniard underwent surgery following a season-ending ACL injury against Chelsea in January.
The surgery was a success, but in a vlog on his YouTube channel – recorded in February but posted this week – revealed the anguish of his recovery and his struggles to walk after intense rehab sessions.
“The other day, I was sleeping without the cast. Sometimes when I sleep I just have to move my legs in a spasm,” he said.
“I had a spasm, woke up in the morning and had pain in the back of my knee. I went to rehab and told them but they said it's normal.
“I've had surgery two weeks ago, so I thought nothing of it. So I thought nothing of it but this morning it was painful again.
“I did a very tough rehab today. When I got home, I stood up from the sofa and couldn't even walk because of the pain.
“I'm a bit scared now that something has happened.”
Despite his fears, Bellerin posted an update of himself walking with one crutch on Twitter yesterday with the caption: “One small step for man, one big step for Heccy”.
Arsenal manager Unai Emery insisted earlier this season that Bellerin’s injury would not prompt the club to look for a replacement.
"We have Ainsley [Maitland-Niles],” Emery said in January. “He can help us playing at right-back or right winger.
"Also [Stephan] Lichtsteiner is another player who can play there. We have the players.
"I don’t forget [Carl] Jenkinson who has played some matches and can be used if we need him."
