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Krystian Bielik Must Start For Arsenal Against Dinamo Zagreb
By Josh Sippie
Arsenal currently have zero defensive-minded midfielders on the senior team. It is time to get one in the mix that does. It is time to start Krystian Bielik.
Dinamo Zagreb is a must-win. The Champions League is over if Arsenal do not pull maximum points from the match. And yet, Arsenal may be more desperate for quality players than ever before. Hector Bellerin returned, but the all-crucial Francis Coquelin sustained what looked to be a potentially long-term injury. That leaves Arsenal in a tight spot.
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Mikel Arteta also went down with an injury. That leaves Arsenal with Mathieu Flamini and Santi Cazorla as the only two guys who have played a central, defensive midfield role for Arsenal. And yet neither one of those two is a defensive-minded player. Neither of those two seeks to protect the goal first. Their objective is to get the ball forward and contribute to the attack.
That being the case, if Arsenal runs with that pairing, they could very well fall victim to an incredibly exposed back four. With no one to stifle counter attacks in the middle of the pitch, it could get ugly.
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Arsenal need someone who is going to sit deep and let the attack stay in front of him. Unfortunately for the Gunners, the only person on the team capable of this mindset is Krystian Bielik. Although, it might not be as unfortunate as it seems.
Krystian Bielik impressed against Sheffield Wednesday. He was one of the few. He wanted to be a force. He called for the ball. He sought to control the game. That is what Arsenal needs. Not only that, but he has been spending his time in the reserves as a center back. Why? Not to become a center back, but to improve his defensive qualities. The young Pole admitted that he was guilty of letting too many people past him in the midfield. By moving to center back, that habit is en route to being shaken.
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This is by no means a foolproof plan. The odds that Krystian Bielik comes into the Arsenal first team and dominates is very slim. He’s 17. But at the very least, there will be a competent, able body in front of the defense. That able body will be able to sit back and invite pressure while causing disruptions to any counter attacks. That is all that is needed for Arsenal. They cannot have six guys ahead of the ball when Zagreb come racing on the counter attack. Having even just one more body between that attack and the back four will make all the difference in the world.