Hector Bellerin, the environmental activist.

Hector Bellerin pledged to plant 3,000 trees for every match that the Gunners won

Back in June this year, Hector Bellerin, Arsenal Football Club Vice-Captain Hector Bellerin pledged to plant 3,000 trees for every match that the Gunners won for the remainder of the 2019/20 season. The twenty-five-year-old Spanish international partnered with One Tree Planted to help realize his vision. This is a charity with the goal of reforestation. Reforestation is just the latest environmental project the left back has shown an interest in. Well, he has spoken passionately about climate change as well as the negative effects of plastics prior to this.

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Bellerin has cited the time he spent with his grand father in his garden planting trees and playing in forests while growing up in Barcelona as the reason why the subject of reforestation is close to his heart.

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One Tree Planted progress report.

Come the end of 2019/20 season, One Tree Planted provided an update about the pledge. Arsenal Football Club had won 7 games. Moreover, Bellerin decided to plant trees for a game they had drawn in that period. Paddy Power also joined the campaign and pledged to plant 6,000 trees every time Arsenal failed to win a match. In total, Hector Bellerin’s pledge would result to 58,617 trees being planted. The reforestation is to begin in the fall and the nursery is already established and flourishing.

Hector Bellerin pledged to plant 3,000 trees for every match that the Gunners won
Hector Bellerin pledged to plant 3,000 trees for every match that the Gunners won
One Tree Planted nursery
One Tree Planted Nursery

Investment in Forest Green Rovers.

Come September, Hector Bellerin took his environmental activism one step further by becoming the second largest shareholder in Forest Green Rovers. His goal, to support the English Football League Club’s green initiative. Forest Green Rovers have been recognized by FIFA as the greenest football club in the world. The club has also been certified by the United Nations as the first carbon-neutral football club.

Hector Bellerin pledged to plant 3,000 trees for every match that the Gunners won and partners with Forest Green Reserve FC
Forest Green Reserve stadium

Some of the club’s initiatives include serving vegan food at their stadium, having their kits made from bamboo and playing in an organic pitch. They are also currently planning on building a new stadium made almost entirely from wood. Bellerin, who is also a vegan, invested in the club because their ambitions and ideals align with his own.

Hector Bellerin pledged to plant 3,000 trees for every match that the Gunners won.
Forest Green Rovers’ Bamboo Kit
Hector Bellerin pledged to plant 3,000 trees for every match that the Gunners won
Forest Green Rovers Proposed New Stadium

Upcoming football matches for Chelsea and Arsenal

Chelsea

The premier league is set to resume in mid month with a tight fixture for Chelsea. On Monday, 14th September, the blues clash with Brighton & Hove Albion at 20:00 (EAT). On 20th September, Chelsea will meet the Reds, Liverpool, in what will be their real premier league opener for this season. The two sides have played 65 times and Chelsea has won 26 games, while Liverpool won 22 matches. The teams have recorded 17 draws. However, recent statistics have shown the Liverpool side getting stronger and Chelsea weakening. Last season, Chelsea had an average of 1 goal per match, while their opponents Liverpool scored an average of 2.5 goals per game. If these statistics are anything to go with, this Stanford bridge derby will be electrifying. Later in the month, Saturday 26th September, Chelsea will play West Bromwich Albion. The other notable game in October is the match between Chelsea and Manchester United set for the 24th October 2020. For more Chelsea fixtures for this season, visit their official website of Chelsea Fc news.

Arsenal

FA Cup winners (Picture source: Supersport)

After a successful season, Arsenal is set to come back strongly in the premier league starting on 12th September with a clash against Fulham at 12:30 (EAT). They will play West Ham United the following weekend on 20th September at 14:00 (EAT). They are set for a derby on Monday 28th  September when the gunners clash with Liverpool  at 20:00 (EAT). All eyes will be watching this derby since the teams have met 229 times, and Liverpool has won 89 matches, while Arsenal won 80. The teams have recorded 61 draws. Last week’s match in the Community shield confirmed that Arsenal remained to be a strong side against Liverpool. If they bet their cards on Aubameyang, anything can happen. In October, Arsenal is set to play two more derbies against Manchester City and Manchester United in the Premier league

Talks at an advanced stage for Willian to move to Arsenal

Talks at an advanced stage for Willian to move to Arsenal

Willian is on the verge of moving to Arsenal after failing to agree with Chelsea bosses on his contract extension.

According to reports, the negotiations between Arsenal and the Brazilian have reached at an advanced level to have him join the Gunners.

Arsenal are ready to offer the Brazilian a three-year-deal that he expected to get at Chelsea. According to France Football report, Willian will, however, considers switching between the two London clubs if he gets another year extension in Arsenal’s offer.

Losing Willian will be a tough decision for Chelsea since they have always wanted to keep him. Frank Lampard recently admitted to this.

“I know the situation from the club’s end. But it is his decision and I have not got that answer so I actually do not know what that decision is,” he said.

“It is his choice and I respect his choice. He has been a great servant for Chelsea if he decides to move on. And if he does decide to move on then Chelsea moves on as well and we have to look forward ourselves.”

The 31-year-old has also attracted interest Barcelona but Arsenal seems to be in the pole position to sign him.

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