Krystian Bielik says a shoulder injury sustained in August killed off his chances of completing a season-long loan move to a Championship club.
The Poland under-21 international endured a frustrating first half of the campaign at London Colney after surgery on the problem in September forced him into a prolonged period of rehab.
On returning to fitness he completed a loan move to Walsall in January. The decision to join a League One side, having already proved his mettle at Birmingham City in the division above last season, raised eyebrows in some quarters.
It appears though, that residing worries about his fitness played a part in the decision.
“There was interest from several clubs [in the summer], but the injury closed many doors,” Bielik told Przeglad Sportowy.
“I wanted to play in a first team in England. I would go to the Championship but, because of the injury, the clubs did not want to risk me.
“The next day [after the injury] I learned that I am leaving for a loan, I could choose between two major clubs from the Championship – Norwich or Nottingham. Well, I could not, because it turned out that the shoulder had to be operated.
“I got to League One [with Walsall] and I’m glad that we managed to find a club in the senior football programme by the end of the season. People think what they want. This league is as hard as the Championship.
“I want to play in the Championship. I’d love to go back to Birmingham. I would feel best there. I would not need acclimatisation. I know the club, players, coaching staff.”
Fingers crossed the 20-year-old can enjoy a solid end to the season and then focus on challenging the first team defenders in pre-season.
Lots of promise, hope he comes back strong.
True gooner. And by that I mean gets injured at a vital career moment.
Please just don’t let him be coached by the Coaching Staff at Arsenal
I wonder if Walsall have been asked to play him as a defender or if they’re allowed to play him where it suits them?
Would be good to see him play in midfield and be developed as a defensive midfielder again.
This is the key. In so many ways, he’s potential is exactly what the first team needs right now. For all the promise of AMN as a DM, Bielik was the top dog at the academy when he arrived at 16. Kinda like how the Greek guy is currently bossing the reserves. Dude has so much in his locker; crisp passing of both short and long, great reading of the game, anticipation, tackling, physical ability, etc. As a CB, though he looked okay, he simply looked like a midfielder playing as a CB, and regularly caught “out of position” when… Read more »
At this point I don’t see him ever making the senior squad. Too many young players in front of him and more senior players sure to be brought in.
Anyone know if Bielik has the potential to be a viable solution in the DM role (he’s got size, must know how to tackle well having been playing as a CB for 2 years now, and certainly knows what CB’s need from their shield…) next year?
He IS a DM.
He’s an excellent DM who for some strange reason was made to play as a CB. He needs to get back to his right position and he has everything to succeed and be an excellent first team player. I believe he has been badly managed to change his position, and he should never have been left to play almost a whole game with that shoulder injury. I hope he makes it, I like him a lot.
Move this guy back to DM!! Please Wenger!
His time playing as CB is to aid his development as a DM. Part of his education. A 17 year old defender must be willing to learn the art of defending.