Krystian Bielik Has Earned More First-Team Duties At Arsenal

By Josh Sippie | Oct 28, 2015

As mentioned not so long ago, Arsenal’s youthful prospects have not had a good week. Between Serge Gnabry, Daniel Crowley and the Sheffield Wednesday shalacking crew, nobody was up to scratch. That is, nobody except Polish wonderkid Krystian Bielik.

Bielik is an interesting case at Arsenal because there has never been much news about him. Perhaps that is a good thing though. Among guys like Alex Iwobi, Jeff Reine-Adelaide, Ainsley Maitland-Niles and such, Krystian Bielik never made headlines. He never received any praise and the media essentially made him disappear. Yet the young Polish wonder has always been right there, making the grade.

Against Sheffield United, Arsenal’s mass of youth looked terrible. They looked ill-prepared and as Arsene Wenger pointed out, none of them were ready to play at this level (via the Metro). But that had to be in the heat of the moment. Wenger failed to acknowledge how good his Polish wonderkid did in the half hour he had.

More from Arsenal News

When Krystian Bielik was introduced, Arsenal was already down 3-0. That is no situation that someone wants to be subbed into, especially as a 17 year old with no first-team experience. But Bielik came in with a mission. He played like it was an audition. He played like he may never play again. The young Pole was continually calling for the ball so that he could dictate the pace of the game. He wanted control. He wanted Arsenal to run through him.

That is a tremendous sign from someone who, again, has never played first-team football before. Despite his comments, Wenger surely did not miss Bielik’s fighting spirit.

Most 17 years olds would want to wade around the pitch and get their bearings. It is a nerve-wracking situation to be in. But not for Bielik.

The Polish wonderkid was acquired in the winter transfer window last season. After two bids were declined, Wenger submitted a £2.7 million bid that was accepted. And the legend began. For Wenger to fork out three consecutive and increasing offers for a 17 year old, he has to be something special. Given his size, he was already a remarkable specimen. He had the makings to be a powerful enforcer at the base of Arsenal’s defense.

Bielik was recently given the responsibility of playing at center back for the academy side. This is a move that Wenger has become quite fond of and we have seen it pay dividends for guys like Nacho Monreal and hopefully Calum Chambers as well. Bielik was letting far too many players past him and, to learn how better to defend, he was placed on the back line, where players cannot get past.

As the Daily Mail points out, given the injury problems Arsenal is currently dealing with, Bielik may become a familiar face on the Arsenal sideline. This little revelation could not have come at a better position. Hopefully it means less Flamini and less Arteta at the base of the defense. However, now that Arsenal are removed from the Football League Cup, Bielik would have to face much sterner opponents.

Calling Bielik ‘ready’ after one positive performance may seem a bit preemptive, but consider the situation. Arteta is hurt and ineffective when healthy. Flamini cannot figure out what being a defensive player is all about. That leaves Francis Coquelin, who is going to need breaks. Being put into sink-or-swim scenarios worked out for Hector Bellerin, so why not Bielik as well?

Next: Arsenal's Top 10 Prospects

More from Pain in the Arsenal

Home/Arsenal News