After having previously endured much frustration with injuries, Krystian Bielik has enjoyed a productive first half of the campaign.
The Polish youngster may have been converted into a centre-back by Arsenal but he has returned to playing in his previous defensive midfield position while on loan at Charlton Athletic in League One this season and has produced some encouraging performances.
Charlton boss Lee Bowyer has given Bielik much useful advice with regards to improvements that he can make in his game and the youngster, who turns 21 next week, has reaped the benefits.
Despite always being regarded as one of Arsenal’s most talented youngsters since he joined the club, Bielik has found first-team opportunities difficult to come by.
Indeed, he has made just two competitive appearances for the Gunners at first-team level and has yet to feature in the Premier League.
Will that change? It remains to be seen. Bielik has certainly done enough in the first half of the season to suggest that he deserves opportunities at Arsenal in the future, and his versatility would be a useful asset for the squad.
The step up from League One to the Premier League is of course a significant one, but Bielik is calm under pressure and excellent in possession, while he is highly effective at breaking up play.
Despite Arsenal’s need for defensive reinforcements, it seems unlikely that Bielik will be recalled from his loan spell in January and he is instead expected to see out the remainder of the campaign with Charlton, where he will look to continue playing regularly and gain further valuable experience.
Bielik’s current Arsenal contract runs until the summer of 2020, so it seems likely that at the end of this season a decision will be made regarding whether to integrate him into the first-team squad or let him continue his career elsewhere.
Given the impact that he has made at Charlton so far, Bielik certainly seems worthy of being given a chance at Arsenal.
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Jeorge Bird is the author of www.arsenalyouth.wordpress.com Follow him on Twitter @jeorgebird
There’s something about Charlton
If Alexandre Song improves, then Bielik sure can.
Btw, just wondering how well Jon Toral has been doing since he left Arsenal. Yeah, came out of the blue, true.
Went to Hull. Seems to be in
and out the side.
i’d love him to succeed at Arsenal because by the time he reaches 25 he’ll be an absolute TANK
It would make sense to integrate him into the senior squad during our preseason of 2019 and see how he does, it would seem a shame to see him leave without first getting a chance in his proper position of def/mid at Arsenal.
Jeorge, Would it be to far fetched to bring him back in January for Unai and his staff to run the rule over him in training? After yesterday, it’s clear we need cover for Torreira who is knackered having been over played since we signed him after the world cup in the summer. It seems as though Unai has no one else who has that work ethic in midfield available to him in his current squad. So taking a punt on a player who has played at a higher level before (i.e Birmingham City in the championship a couple of… Read more »
Elneny and Maitland Niles can both cover Torreira.
Elneny?! Nah…
Bring the lad back ffs! He’s a real talent and the sooner we get a sense of how (and if at all) he can develop and gel with our current squad the better. I’d certainly rather see him dep’ing at CB than Xhaka – at least he seems to have a real feel for the deeper defensive position.
Defence and wings personnel in please. Pretty please?
I like him a lot, he’s a real talent and should definitely be on the pre-season tour. He’s had problems with injuries, but tall youngsters often have that as they grow, touch wood he’s over that now and can continue to progress. I hope he gets his chance, I think he’s going to be really good.
Utter thug Lee Bowyer may teach him a bit of useful on-the-pitch thuggery.
I think Lee bowyer is more famous for off the pitch thuggery to be fair.
He is rubbish, I would let him go to Charlton for free. ???
You have so much quality at Arsenal, you have to give them games. He could be your next Tony Adams.
Better that Koscielny, mustafi, Holding and the greek guy.
CAFC
“Your” next Tony Adams? Who are you then CAFC?
He’s a Charlton supporter who rates Beilik. Thanks CAFC, enjoy him while you can, hopefully you do well this season and then send him home!