Krystian Bielik has been handed the coveted *cough* number 36 shirt and been added to Arsene Wenger’s first team squad and the club’s UEFA Youth League squad ahead of their showdown with Atletico Madrid this evening.
The 17-year-old, who completed his move to the Emirates last week, has also spoken to the press in his homeland about his first impressions of London life revealing he’s already moved in with a ‘foster’ family and been warmly greeted by everyone at the training ground.
“The big surprise is everyone, without exception, has been very nice to me,” he told Przeglad Sportowy.
“Players from the first team, the youth team, the coaches – they all ask if everything is okay, how training is going and whether I need help. I didn’t think I’d be as accepted. As you can tell, I was wrong.”
Having not played any football since before Christmas, due to the winter break in Poland, Bielik is currently undertaking fitness work on his own. The sessions are obviously hard work.
“Despite the fact I’m practicing on my own in London, after each workout session I’m dead,” he noted.
“I have to sit for a while on the grass just gasping for breath before I can stand up. It’s good for me. I need it and I know it will pay off soon.”
Having made his name in his homeland as a midfielder it was something of a surprise when Arsenal.com claimed the player was versatile enough to play in defence. The player himself was equally stupified by the suggestion.
“I think someone made a mistake,” he joked. “I’m not worried, but I’d rather not play as a centre-back. I remember one game there for the Legia reserves, it was the first time I’d played there in my life. I don’t think I’ll play centre-back. I’m the type of player who wants to create and dominate a game from the midfield.”
The youngster also underlined that he’s not set himself a timeline to make his debut. “No, there’s no time limit,” he clarified.
“It was the same at Legia. It’s been said that if I bulk up, I’ll play in the spring. It was similar under Henning Berg, I made my debut with Legia after a month of hard work. Arsenal have the same approach. The most important thing is to be patient and wait for my turn. I know my place in the queue. I came here to fight and fulfil my dreams.”
Seems like a nice lad. Good luck to him.
See you in pre-season 2015-2016.
I thought Vieira wears number 4.
He noticed Walcott took 14 and steered away from that sort of things.
36 is Polish for 4!
Onward krystian soldier…
He looks like he could be the dogs Bielik’s!
A midfield of coq and bielik’s is on the horizon!
With the Angel Gabriel to show up soon (or is that one a religious myth)?
I know this unrelated but WHERE IS GABRIEL PAULISTA. i thought it was going to be announced yest. Why Arsenal why.
On topic.
Are we to see this kid next year then?
He says if he bulks up, he could play in the spring. Fair to assume he might get a run out this season.
He definitely needs to bulk up if he is to fill both of his shirts.
Probably away to Real Madrid in the quarter finals of the Champions League after all our other midfielders end up in the physio room. Remember Sanogo v Bayern last year.
maybe he could share training sessions with Özil
The news on the grapevine is that Paulista got injured during the medical. Metatarsals everywhere.
Good on him, last thing we’d want to see is him being a little bit uncomfortable 😉
On a serious note, moving to a new country and a big club (no disrespect to Leige) and living with a new family must be pretty daunting. Let’s hope he can gain some valuable experience being a part of the first team set up and see him push for a place next year.
No disrespect to Legia is to at least spell their name right, Nick!
Sometimes I also need to sit on the grass gasping for breath before I can get up again. Difference between me and this lad is I do that after opening up a particularly jammy twist-cap beer.
Beilik,you are welcome
Is he a real life person or a cyber one?
You know, cos he’s dead after every session and yet manages to report to the next one alive.
That was a weak attempt at trying to be funny mate.
Krystian Lazarus Bielik.
We could use some ‘back from the dead powers’ with our injury record.
I like this kid
Patiently waiting for Napoli to announce the signing of Gabriel Paulista
Grab a seat and get comfortable. You’ll be waiting for a very long time
It’s wolfsburg then?
Can’t wait to see Bielick Coq in our midfield….fnarrr.
gasping eh – has he nicked Wojech’s fags?
Gasp!
Arsenal beating City at home and signing two defensive players in the one transfer window?!?!
What is the world coming to?!?!
I hope normal service will resume next week with United losing to Cambridge.
He better hurry up and do this bulking up. It’s spring in about 6 weeks and he’s like A butcher’s pencil at present
seems like a well adjusted kid. good luck to him.
Seems sound enough, feel bad for him tho living with a foster family. Someone living close should ask him out a pint or two. I think he’d like that.
That’s a great idea ……. until the barman asks him for ID
😛
Is he old enough to drink beers ? Would Wenger bench him in youth team for a pint ?
At least he does not look lackadaisical. Look the word up on Google
http://www.givemesport.com/541372-tottenham-trolled-by-google-dictionary-search?autoplay=on
10/10 for that word mate.
cunt.
“The big surprise is everyone, without exception, has been very nice to me,”
What did he expect? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7aEi6c8cWI
…now I’m daydreaming of the HFB spanking me with a paddle…
Pete I watched that clip! That’s two minutes of my life I won’t get back! AND I miss Rambling Pete! 🙁
In Stark contrast to other big Clubs where the New kid is frozen out and Nobody gives him the ball etc. You have to prove yourself first. Our club seems more family oriented and everyone want to help you from day one to become As good As you can be.
I hope he makes it big here. Arsenal FC still is a great place relatively for young footballers with potential( can’t say the same for that kid who joined Madrid though, difference). Glad to see the youth policy now thriving amidst a big group of proven talents.
Arsene making sure he has a team for the future when he leaves.
All the best to the kid!!
He’s wearing a shirt. So…….why’s he also holding a shirt?!
Being young, he might spill cereal milk or get Bolognese on himself so will need a spare.
Can we not give him a bib instead?
Because he is Krystian “two shirts” Bielik.
Keep up! 🙂
Seems very mature and level-headed for a 17 year old. Good luck youngster!
Guys, Bielik sounds nothing like bollock, so please stop with the pathetic attempts at puns.
I think you’re talking bieliks
Too much Polish Pear Brandy gives me the *bieliks*.
Look hughes talking.
“Didn’t think I will be accepted”? Come on lad, you are at the nicest club in the whole wide world.
I don’t know about y’all, but I have this exciting tingling childish sensation in my stomach. COYG!!
A big welcome to our new signing, Chris Twelvetrees
So..not really a DM after then…
I really like this guy…….good luck man !!!
Listed as a defender as a joke he thinks.
With Wenger you never know!
Twelvetrees?
A Chelscum defence routine?
KB32? An ode to the guillotine. Nice touch.
Probably ready n two seasons. We may yet add in DM this summer but things are a bit more up in the air. Chambers may get an audition in the position or stay at RB or continue education as Cback Arteta will likely be retired due to wear and tear. Flamini is good enough for another 1-2 seasons (in which case Bielik will replace him) Coquelin’s continued growth will be monitored to end of season. We may yet add at the back a Hummels in which case we may push up the new chap Gabriel or more likely we will… Read more »
must you write a three page eulogy every time you comment?
Arteta signed for another year. Flamini likely to go this summer.