Bielik to be given Arsenal chance!
There’s a well known rumour doing the rounds at the moment that Arsene Wenger is toying with the idea of signing another centre back following on from Per Mertesacker’s long term injury announcement. The Gunners have reportedly shown an interest in Napoli’s Koulibaly and Valencia’s Mustafi, but is Wenger ready to name one of our very own as the BFG’s replacement.
Sky Sports are reporting that Wenger will look to give young star Krystian Bielik a chance at centre back this season, as cover in defence following Mertesacker’s injury.
Wenger told the press following on from the Gunners 2-1 win over the MLS ALL STARS, that Bielik would have a greater role this season, that could see him feature on occasion for the first team. Wenger said: “Bielek 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 into a centre-back because I felt he can play the type of football we want to play as a centre-back.”
Bielik did join the Gunners back in 2015 as a defensive midfielder in a £2 million deal, however perhaps his role could now be set in defence. The Polish youngster made great strides in the Arsenal youth team and has shown promise that will surely get him involved with first team duties. However given Arsenal’s heavy competition in midfield, it seems like the 18 year old’s future may lie at centre back.
Wenger continued: “Many times this is a position for experienced players because you pay for every mistake with a goal in this position, in the Premier League.
“What I have try to do with him this season is to work on his positional play and improve him, and give him some games. If in December, he is not ready, we will try and get him to play somewhere.”
I have no issue in Wenger looking to give youngsters like Bielik a chance in the first team on occasion, if they can prove their worth to be in the squad. However to chance it with the inexperienced Bielik as our only back up central defender whilst we wait for Mertesacker, Gabriel and Koscielny all to return, doesn’t seem to be in the best of interests for most of us. If Arsenal truly want to challenge on all fronts this season, they need to sign a top quality experienced centre back that isn’t just here to fill the gap whilst Mertesacker is injured, but a player who can replace the BFG on a long term basis. Bielik may turn out to be such a player in the future, but for now, should Wenger really be looking at the cheap option rather than investing in the market?
By AH