It was a year ago this week that Krystian Bielik joined Arsenal, and, whilst the Polish youngster perhaps hasn’t played as much first-team football as many people would have anticipated during his first 12 months at the club, he has still developed well since his arrival.
A tall, commanding presence, Bielik is adept at playing neat passes and winning the ball back, but the biggest change that has occurred since he joined Arsenal has been his move from defensive-midfield to centre-back.
The 18-year-old has fared well enough in the latter position and has featured prominently there for the club at U21 level this season, but now, with Glen Kamara having joined Southend United on loan until the end of the season, an opportunity could arise for Bielik to move back into midfield.
Kamara has been Arsenal’s first-choice defensive-midfielder in the U21s this season, but the temporary departure of the Finland youth international means that, aside from Bielik, Arsenal don’t have any youngsters available who specialise in playing that position.
Ismael Bennacer featured there as Arsenal drew 0-0 with their Swansea City counterparts today, but the Frenchman is more suited to playing in a slightly more advanced position.
As far as Bielik is concerned, there is little doubt that his best position is as a defensive midfielder. The prospect will hope that next season will see him become more regularly involved in the first-team set-up and his ability to operate effectively in two positions will only be of benefit with regards to his chances of receiving minutes.
Kamara, meanwhile, will hope to gain regular game time in League One. The midfielder has been on the fringes of the Arsenal first-team squad this season, and featured in the disappointing Capital One Cup defeat to Sheffield Wednesday, but at present it is difficult to envisage him making the breakthrough with the Gunners.
An impressive loan spell at Roots Hall could be the precursor to a permanent move, with his Arsenal future currently in some doubt.
Another defensive-midfielder, Isaac Hayden, has also been heavily linked with a departure from the club this week.
Hayden is currently on a season-long loan at Championship side Hull City, but manager Steve Bruce has expressed interest in signing the player on a permanent basis.
Such a scenario could well transpire at the conclusion of the campaign, when Hayden will have just a year left to run on his Arsenal contract, with the recent arrival of Mohamed Elneny having further reduced his chances of forcing his way into the squad.
Bielik, though, seems to have the best chance of succeeding out of the trio, and it wouldn’t be surprising if, with Kamara now out of the picture, the former Legia Warsaw player is afforded more opportunities to impress at the base of the midfield.
—
Jeorge Bird is the author of www.arsenalyouth.wordpress.com Follow him on Twitter @jeorgebird
This is probably for the best in the long run. Coquelin has the CDM role nailed down for the next several years, and Elneny is the first choice backup to him. Kamara’s pretty much out of time to make his way into the first squad, but Beilik’s got a good couple of years’ development ahead of him before he can start thinking about that.
I love these articles, doing a great job Jeorge keeping us informed with whats going on behind the first team. Thanks
Is there any way to watch the full u21 matches live or otherwise? I only can find the 6 minute highlights on arsenal player.