Arsenal star Hector Bellerin's vegan diet to blame for poor form, says Alan Brazil

Hector Bellerin's veganism is to blame for his poor form according to Alan Brazil.

Bellerin has been on a strict plant-based diet since the start of the season and claimed earlier this year that it had seen his energy levels rise dramatically.

But former Ipswich, Tottenham, Manchester United and Scotland forward Brazil — who now works as a radio pundit — claimed that Bellerin would be a much better player if he went back to eating meat.

Speaking on talkSPORT, Brazil said: 'Get a steak down you pal! Bellerin, get that steak down you raw! That'll help.

'He was a good player but he's gone. I don't know what's happened to him.'

Arsenal were knocked out of the Europa League on Thursday night after losing 1-0 to Atletico Madrid, who went though 2-1 on aggregate.

Diego Costa scored the decisive goal in the second leg after holding off Bellerin in the build-up.

'Look at Costa,' added Brazil. 'Do you think he has a Caesar salad every Sunday lunch?'

Brazil then ended his rant with a dig at all vegans. He said: 'Vegans don't say "hi, how're you doing", they say "hi, I'm a vegan". They get it in first.'