Morning all.
Krystian Bielik, 6’ 2, eyes are… I’ve no idea what colour they are and quite frankly, I don’t care. He’s been at Charlton Athletic all season on loan and from what I’ve read, he’s impressed. Admittedly, League One isn’t where you’ll see the kind of football Man City or Barcelona etc dish up but you’ll see determination, grit and certainty pride and passion. Every club wants promotion to the Championship because from there, the big opportunity is in eyesight. The Premier League. Players know that Premier League clubs will take more of an interest in them, it could be their chance of a big break. Or just the lucky break they’ve been desperate for. For the clubs, it’s their chance to bring in more money which in turn means better players although those who worked so hard to achieve promotion can’t be all bad. But to continue moving forward, any club has to sign a player or five who are better than who they have. If they don’t, they stagnate or worse still, go right back from where they came.
Charlton earned their promotion to the Championship the hard way. Through the playoffs. They went a goal down too in the final which took place at Wembley yesterday afternoon before coming back to beat Sunderland 2-1. Their winning goal came in the 94th minute. Bielik played his part just as he has in 33 matches this season. Reports suggest Charlton manager, the ghastly Lee Bowyer, want to keep him
“I really like the [Charlton] training ground, the players and staff – everything is great here. “But I can’t really tell you what is going to happen next season.
“I don’t know. There is the Euros in front of me. I’m just trying to focus on football now – the final and the Euros. “I don’t really talk about other stuff with my agent. It is about football and he will decide when it is a good time to tell me about everything. But right now I don’t think about any offers or new contracts.
I’d imagine Arsenal will have been keeping an eye on his progress throughout the season and now they have a decision to make, as does the player himself of course. Has he done enough to push his way into Arsenal’s first team squad? Does Bielik even want to stay at Arsenal and fight for his place having enjoyed playing week in week out for Charlton? Is the gap between impressing in League One and playing Premier League football too big? The answer to the final question surely has to be no because we’ve seen other players make the step up with ease over the years. Vardy, Deeney, Phillips, Austin, Alli, Smalling to name a few. But it’s different for Bielik, he’s already an Arsenal player, this last ten months was about playing regularly after injury messed up his progress. Mind you, he’s missed a few matches this season too through injury.
Our Polish under 21 international midfielder/centre back is out of contract next summer so what do you guys think? Keep him and extend his contract, or sell him? I haven’t seen him play for Charlton but that doesn’t stop me thinking he might be a better option to Xhaka……
Not long to go now, so surely you’re starting to feel a little bit nervous? Kante has been ruled out apparently, through injury. Just need Hazard to bruise his toe so badly he can’t get his boot on until Thursday morning…
Have a great Monday guys.
Certainly keep him, he’s a great prospect. Everytime I see him Play he impresses.
Good Morning Rico Absolutely as a minimum he needs a new contract if only to ensure a reasonable transfer fee. I’ve seen him a few times and hes clearly too good for L1. Another loan with Charlton in the Championship and if he pulls up trees, bring him back at Christmas. The same can be said for Chambers who was Fulham’s best player this year. We’re basically skint but a few of our loan players can definitely add something to our squad.
Good morning Rico, number one priority for Arsenal is to not let players get into the final year of their contract. Bielik is close to that situation, therefore he should be offered a reasonably generous new one.
The fact that he has played in 33 games for Charlton this season tends to hint that his injury situation has improved no end. I think we should bring him back for pre-season where he can be assessed before choosing one of the three options available, a place in the first team squad, another loan period or outright sale.
An interesting article on Aubameyang in this morning’s Telegraph, but more on that later..
I absolutely think we should keep him. He’s brilliant. Unfortunately I don’t think we’ll see him in preseason as he is playing for Poland U21. Both he & Chambers deserve they’re chance in the first team. So I’d sign him. I’m sure we’ll still him easily of he doesn’t work out. Chambers signed new contract before he went to Fulham where he was player of the season. So keep them both I think. Perhaps Chambers shades it for me if only one can stay
Still churning the posts out rico. Don’t know how you do it, but hats off to you, well done.
I’ve not seen Bielik play, so I cannot comment. But, if he’s as good as the comments coming out of Charlton are anything to go by, at least extend his contract and give him a shot, he cannot be worse than Mustafa, can he?
If we sign him and it doesn’t work out then we still have an asset which we can get some revenue back to help reinforce the squad.
I have however seen Callum Chambers play a few times for Fulham ( not live , but on tv) and he looks to have grown a pair and appears to have improved immensely, after all he was voted Fulhams player of the season. Not bad to perform in such a way in a struggling side that suffered all season.
He is a much better shout than Donkey Xhaka.
Bring him back, and try him out alongside Torriera.
If Holding and Bellerin are fit to start the new season that gives us a line up of =
Leno
Bellerin……….Sokratis…….Holding……..new LB
Torriera…….Chambers
AMN/Smith-Rowe/Guendouzi
new Winger/ Nelson…………Laca………..Auba
Iliev
Medley
Koscielny
Monreal
Kolasinac
Willock
John Jules
Nketiah
Simples. LOL
COYG
Cicero….you little devil you……..you have got my taste buds going now…….I need to know about that article concerning Auba in the Telegraph.
Please reveal, as its a far too intelligent paper for me to read. My level is the Sun. 😉
The ‘ghastly’ lee Bowyer has turned young Bielik into s grestcsll around defensive player during the season and improved a number if other players such that the team have been promoted to the Championship.
Put club and Bowyer in particular have gained great kudos for this seasons performsnce.
Morning Cicero, Chrispy, Vcc, all. Thanks re the post.
I’m in the keep him camp too. Give him a chance, even if it’s at the end of games as he builds up.
Yes Stu, that’s the bloke.
Vcc, we’ve got Saka coming through too. Should see more of him next season too. Hopefully anyway.
Cicero, if it’s one of their premium articles, please would you copy the content and paste it on here?
Happy Spring Bank Holiday Gooners
Morning Rico, I guess with one year left on his current deal that a quick decision needs to be made regarding the future of Krystian Bielik, stick or twist, keep plus a new contract or sell, part of the squad or loanee? I’m not sure as I’ve only seen snippets of this lad, but he looks accomplished if a tad slow and maybe that lack of speed means he’ll end up as a central defender and that’s where he might have a future at Arsenal?
We’ve seen with Granit Xhaka how a lack of pace can be exploited by the opposition, Xhaka isn’t a bad player and tbh he always seems to play, he always played under Wenger and when he’s been available Emery has usually played him, Unai even used him in defence during our injury crisis last season. Xhaka isn’t a favourite of mine but he also isn’t as bad as we often say he is, mind you he isn’t as good as his fans think he is, he’s a conundrum.
I think he’s a player who struggles at times with the pressing and physicality you get in the EPL, a bit like Mustafi, both these players have looked really comfortable in the Europa which tells me they’d be better off in Serie A or Ligue Un or the Bundesliga.
As for Krystian Bielik, has he done enough to come back to Arsenal earn a new deal and go straight into our 25 man squad, be that as a midfielder or defender, would you trust him in our defence or midfield in the EPL..?
Personally I think we might move him on in the summer.
Morning all.
The article below is the one the torygraph printed today about our “flash” cf. read and enjoy. ( sorry about the copy and paste whole thing, but the arsewipe of a paper would let me just copy and paste the ‘link’ so you’ve got the lot!
Enjoy.😊
FOOTBALL
Aubameyang proves his value as Arsenal find A-list predator
Club-record signing will be their primary threat in the Europa League final, writes Sam Dean
It was the cold-blooded nature of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s hat-trick in Valencia, as much as the hat-trick itself, that underlined the elite predatory qualities of the man who will lead Arsenal’s attack in Azerbaijan this week.
Aubameyang’s three goals in the second leg of their Europa League semi-final came from just four touches of the ball. There was the kung-fu volley from the edge of the box, the near-post dart and then the close-range finish into the roof of the net.
One, two, three. Thank you and good night.
Arsenal’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Those three strikes, in the biggest game of Arsenal’s season, showcased the goalscoring ability that Arsenal would expect from a striker who cost £56 million from Borussia Dortmund in January last year. It was a hefty sum, the most Arsenal have spent on a player, but 16 months down the line there can be no questioning whether he was worth the investment.
In Aubameyang, Arsenal possess a world-class attacking weapon. Both they and Chelsea know that he will provide the primary attacking threat in Wednesday’s Europa League final, prowling the penalty box with all of the menace that has made him one of the most feared finishers of the past decade.
Aubameyang’s goalscoring record is frightening. It also feels a little underappreciated. He has breached the 30-goal mark in each of his past four seasons, and is one of just six players in Europe’s major leagues to score 25 goals or more in each of the past five campaigns. His impact at Arsenal cannot be overstated, either: since joining the club he has scored or assisted a combined 52 goals, 13 more than anyone else in red and white.
He is Arsenal’s assassin, the lurking danger who waits for his moment to pounce rather than get involved in the general play. Indeed, Aubameyang takes the fewest touches per game of any player at the club. He has also taken as many shots from outside the box this season as Lucas Torreira, a holding midfield player. In an era of false nines and all-round attackers, Aubameyang is one of the last remaining genuine, top-class poachers.
What makes this possible, as Valencia’s defenders discovered, is his movement. A few weeks shy of his 30th birthday, the electric pace of his peak has faded a little, but the speed of thought remains devastating. “He is one of the best players for the counter-attack that you can find on this planet because of the timing of his runs,” said Jurgen Klopp, who managed him at Dortmund, earlier this season.
That timing is what allows Aubameyang to surge into more scoring positions than any other Premier League player. He has the highest shot conversion rate in the division since his debut, suggesting he is the league’s most clinical finisher, but he has also missed the most “big chances”, according to Opta metrics. It is a curiosity that shows it is Aubameyang’s appreciation of time and space, his ability to read the game, that makes him stand out. If anything, it is a sign of inconsistent shooting that he has not plundered more than 31 goals for Unai Emery’s side this season.
The cold facts should not detract from his off-field influence. Aubameyang once described himself as a “crazy kid”, and the manner of his departure from Dortmund – his final few months in Germany were marred by disciplinary issues – raised concerns that he might be a disruptive influence.
Those doubts were washed away within days. The multilingual Aubameyang (born in France to a Gabonese father and a Spanish mother) is a warm, popular team member. His friendship with fellow striker Alexandre Lacazette is very strong and his dedicated professionalism is a far cry from what most observers might have expected from a footballer with such ostentatious tastes.
It matters not that Aubameyang is unashamedly flash. He walks through mixed zones after matches with a glittery, rainbow-coloured Louis Vuitton bag on his shoulder. His two gold-plated Lamborghinis – one Aventador, one Urus – can hardly be missed at the training ground. Diamond-encrusted boots during his time in Saint-Etienne showed his fondness for being the centre of attention, as does his penchant for celebrating goals with superhero masks.
The brash exterior should not detract from a player who is more emotional than most might think, though. Aubameyang, a father of two, was once described as “such a sensitive human being” by Thomas Tuchel, another of his former managers, and there is a thoughtfulness to his lisped voice.
Aubameyang, in short, is a far more layered personality than appearances might suggest. And as his first full season in England reaches its climax, Arsenal will need their on-pitch predator to show his ruthless side once more.
Swipe between articles
Morning Kev, happy BH to you too. I thought it was Sunday.. 😂
Agree re Mustafi and Xhaka, re European football. Mind you, that depends on the opposition I guess as a young and fit Ajax side would run them both ragged, others too I’m sure.
Sorry Rico, I can’t find it on line but it is in today’s Telegraph Sports section.
Well done Wavy, these old Tory papers are good for more than just wrapping up your fish and chips.😉
The bit that attracted my attention was about him having the highest shot conversion rate in the Premiership which suggests that he is the league’s most clinical finisher while according to Opta metrics he has also missed the most “big chances”.
Thanks Cicero, I couldn’t either..
If only he could find a happy medium eh…
Thanks Wavy. I wonder why he can’t be as ruthless in the PL as he is in Europe. Perhaps it’s all about the closing down being quicker here. Saying that, he’s missed some chances which for someone like him should be easy.
Villa and Derby battle it out for £170 million prize money today. A ridiculous amount of money for getting promoted.
..and neither team will be Championship winners.
A pleasure to serve, a pleasure😊
I think the point is that Auba, despite the innumerable and sometimes quite crucial misses, still scores more goals for us than any other player. I think we’d have been in a parlour state last season if he’d been absent injured for any length of time. I have a feeling that he and Uni didn’t hit it off on the new coaches arrival, which may explain why he was in and out of the team early in the season but now the coach has realised that he can in fact play both Lacazette and P-E A in the same team and strangely they are highly effective when they both start instead of swapping one for the other! A learning curve that took a long time for the penny to drop!
As for selling him, what would be the point? Firstly you don’t sell your best players, secondly, how much would he bring in and thirdly who would replace him and fourthly, what would happen to his bestie, Laca? I suspect he’d want to leave too. He was messed about by the unicycle, early in the season, subbed off far too often and usually far too early in the games, it is only now, after the dropping of the penny that he seems a little more contented and committed.
Imo, of course
Bright and breezy here with the occasional squally downpour. All very unpredictable!
I have the feeling Bielik will be sold.A good prospect but no pace(like Chambers)
Anyway at least one of those will probably be sold.
I see Smith-Rowe hasn’t made the U21 squad, injury?
Exactly Cicero, it’s wrong imo.
It seems ridiculous to me that the team that wins the Championship play-off final are awarded a cup for reaching the giddy heights of third place. But then calling the second tier of the football league “The Championship” is about as daft as calling the Champions League by that title since so few of the club’s tacking part are league champions.
Agree again, talk about bigging something up.
I don’t know why it was changed from the way it used to be with 4 leagues numbered accordingly.
Afternoon Rico and all. It would seem daft not to get a new contract sorted for Bielik. Whichever way his career pans out, the club must make sure that they benefit. Either from his services or via a transfer fee.
Afternoon Adam, I think so too. Unless a club comes in for him in the next week or so with a very good offer, otherwise he’ll probably just run his contract down..
Villa back in the PL then. Prince William is happy… 😜
It was when the Premier league started , it screwed up the numbering sequence as the football league couldn’t start with a 2. Then the Championship came along to rival the then Premiership .
Not that it matters what they call it it’s still division 2
Yes Villa are back, I watched the game and the thing I noticed most was the Villa player’s twin penchants or diving and trying to intimidate the referee by crowding around him. I think they might struggle in the Premiership, (1st Division), Potter.
Division 2 it is for me too.
I thought thought the match was going to kick off big time with all the falling over, fouling and general nastiness…
That’s division 2 football for you, always has been Rico.
Hi guys,
A mate of any and all Arsenal fans has passed away in the past day or so.
A proper Gooner.
A beautiful soul.
A Proud Irishman, and just a top man.
He will be missed terribly by plenty of Gooners around the world.
RIP Ray Nolan, our mate.
Morning…
New post up now.