The Arsenal youth exodus continued last night as Krystian Bielik joined Birmingham City on loan.
He became the latest in a string of late window loan moves, following the likes of Chuba Akpom, Gedion Zelalem and Matt Macey for developmental periods elsewhere.
Birmingham currently sit mid-table in the Championship, and the highly rated Polish defender will be hoping for some playing time between now and May.
He joined the club as a midfielder, but has been playing most of his football at youth level as a centre-half.
Speaking last year, Arsene Wenger said of him, “He has all the qualities and ingredients to be a top-level centre-back.
“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 because I felt he can play the type of football we want to play as a centre-back.”
Now he just needs experience, so let’s hope he gets it at Birmingham.
Arsenal players out on loan
Szczesny
Moore Bielik Chambers Bola
Wilshere Toral
Campbell Crowley Mavadidi
Akpom
subs Macey, Pleguezuelo, OConnor, Bennacer, Zelalem, Hinds, Asano
Do we have enough players left to field our u23’s?
Sure he doesn’t want another crack at cm? Kind of need one!
To be fair, I think the gap between the Championship and Premier League is not as wide as some think. Birmingham will be a pretty decent club for him.
seems maitland niles and adelaide are on course for a first team breakthrough otherwise they would also be out on loan
Cant wait for Adelaide to go elite! Exciting player.
Chap was already an international when he joined us 3 seasons or so ago as a teenager. Not quite the path you would have projected for him.
True. There are those who thought that he was meant for first team action and that his involvement with the U23s was but a detour – to get to know his way around and get weaned into the Arsenal way. Kind of like the case with Holding. I hope his development isn’t stalling.
It has stalled and it’s almost largely to do with the (imo rather unnecessary) conversion into a CB. He’s absolutely excellent as a DM, but Wenger is keen to turn him into a CB. For the life of me I don’t quite understand why though. Sure our DM options are stacked, but our CB options are even more so. As a young DM, he’s young competitions are Niles really. As a CB, he’s competing with Holding and Chambers. And Mustafi and Gabriel aren’t even that old. I’m concerned he’s gonna get Djourou’d for no reason (promising DM turned to average… Read more »
Get out while you can lads.