This summer saw Arsenal splash plenty of cash in the transfer window, but it also marked the end of an era at the Emirates Stadium.
Ben White, Aaron Ramsdale and Martin Odegaard were all brought in for large fees, but going the other way was right-back Hector Bellerin, a player who had spent the previous seven years in the Gunners first-team.
The Spaniard graduated through the Hale End academy after being poached from Barcelona’s esteemed youth system and went on to make 239 appearances for the north Londoners. However he was deemed surplus to requirements by Mikel Arteta this summer.
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He made the move to Real Betis on a season-long loan during the summer transfer window, one that many thought was down to his familial connections to the club, but it was a much more detailed process than that.
While Bellerin did admit that his father’s love of the club did play a role upon arriving in Spain, the Athletic report that the defender employed the services of data consultancy company Analytics FC to find him the best move.
Betis were ranked high on the particular list and Bellerin eventually signed terms with Manuel Pellegrini’s side.
Analytics FC apparently took in a plethora of factors and found that the 4231 formation employed by the former Manchester City boss suited Bellerin’s personal attributes.
It also showed that the side that finished sixth in La Liga last season were in desperate need of a right-back, having sold Emerson Royal in the summer, increasing the chances of the 26-year-old playing regularly.
Bellerin will have the chance to make his debut on Monday night when his new side travel to Granada in La Liga.