This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…
Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live’s Friday Night Social, Charlton boss Lee Bowyer has revealed his shock at Arsenal’s decision-making over former starlet Krystian Bielik.
What did he say?
The Poland international was on the Gunners’ books since January 2015, when he joined the north London side from Legia Warsaw.
However, his game-time at the Emirates was incredibly limited, and he made just two senior appearances. Bielik spent last season on loan at Bowyer’s Charlton, and he made a significant impression in his spell with the Addicks. The 21-year-old played 34 times as the club gained promotion to the Championship, and scored four goals and provided a further two assists despite predominantly playing in holding midfield and at centre-back.
Despite his impressive form, Bielik was sold by the Gunners to Derby in the summer, and Bowyer voiced his surprise at why they didn’t recall him in January this year.
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He said (as quoted by Football.London): “They should focus on their centre halves, because that is where they are weak. It’s not like they have got two good ones and a back-up. We had a good lad with us last season called Krystian Bielik.
“They had a couple of injuries and how they didn’t recall him in the January and give the kid a chance (I don’t know), because he is an exceptional centre half. They didn’t even take him back and ended up playing midfielders at centre-back. Why are you complicating things? They’ve always had that problem.”
A huge oversight
At just 21, Bielik still has plenty of room to grow, and after enjoying a successful season on loan last year, surely he was worth a shot in pre-season? Instead, Emery didn’t give the Pole a chance, and Derby have been the biggest beneficiaries of that decision.
The indoor football skills in the video below have to be seen to be believed…
Considering the Gunner’s defensive struggles this season – they had conceded 14 times in the Premier League before their clash against Wolves on Saturday afternoon – Bielik could well have seized his opportunity were he given the chance to do so. Instead, Arsenal have seen both Sokratis and David Luiz make glaring mistakes this campaign against the likes of Watford and Liverpool respectively.
