Barcelona right-back Hector Bellerin has praised Arsenal for sticking by Mikel Arteta when the going got tough.

The Spanish coach was not always seen as a fan favorite at the Emirates Stadium club.

There was a time when Arteta's job was on the line, as recently as the start of last season.

Now the Gunners are at the top of the Premier League and likely to progress to the knockout stages of the Europa League.

"In football, in general, there is less and less patience," said Bellerin to reporters ahead of Barcelona's Champions League win against Viktoria Plzen on Tuesday.

"There is clear evidence of how important the process is. In England, it has happened with [Pep] Guardiola, [Jurgen] Klopp and Arteta.

"Projects that have faces and eyes have to be prepared, and the process is long. Confidence and continuing to improve is important. Rome wasn't built in a day."