Arsenal: Krystian Bielik Conversion Should Not Be Settled

Arsenal’s young Pole impressed at center back all last year and it continued in the preseason. But should the shift really be set in stone so soon?

Arsenal’s preseason match against the MLS All-Stars allowed us to see many of the Gunners’ youngsters in action again. Namely, we got to see how Krystian Bielik handled the likes of Didier Drogba, David Villa and Kaka, among others.

It was an impressive display from Bielik. Tasked primarily with shutting down Drogba, he largely accomplished what he set out to do. The Pole showed tremendous composure in the face of one of Arsenal’s chief villains and he proved up to the job.

Clearly Arsene Wenger thought so too, as he was gushing with praise for Bielik after the match.

“Bielek has all the qualities and ingredients to be a top level centre-back,” he said, via Sky Sports. He went on, “the one thing he is missing is the experience in this position because he came to us as a central midfielder, but I converted him into a centre-back because I felt he can play the type of football we want to play as a centre-back.”

I respect Wenger’s innovation and willingness to try new things. It has led to many special athletes, namely the likes of Thierry Henry and Robin van Persie. It even led to Hector Bellerin. But his decision on Bielik is one decision I can’t quite fully come to terms with.

No matter what happens, Bielik is going to be something special, wherever he plays. I think we can agree on that. He just has too much confidence, intelligence and composure not to. But are we really, at the age of 18, saying that he is going to be a center back and blocking off a potentially dynamic career in the middle of the pack?

We didn’t get to see much of Bielik at midfield because not long after his arrival, Wenger moved him. Initially, the move seemed like an educational experience to teach Bielik how better to defend. But he learned the craft so well that Wenger just left him there. Now he’s a center back.

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Like I said, wherever he makes it, that’s great. But I’m slightly perturbed at the prospect of his midfield career being cut short. Seeing Bielik play in the midfield against Sheffield Wednesday was a treat. In a horrid game, Bielik’s command and leadership were a some of the few bright spots. He wanted the game to flow through him.

That doesn’t work at center back. He isn’t going to be getting forward, pushing the attack or doing what Xhaka is essentially here to do. Everyone was calling Bielik the next Vieira, not the next Sol Campbell.

Arsenal does have a surplus of midfielders, which could also be a problem. But, assuming Wenger brings in another central defender for Arsenal, then they will have a lot of defenders in Bielik’s way too. So I don’t see that as a factor.

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Whatever the case, Arsenal is blessed to have him. Wenger’s positional shifts haven’t gone wrong all that often, so maybe this will be another brilliant move.

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