Krystian Bielik ready to play at centre-back

Arsenal youngster Krystian Bielik has insisted that he is ready to play at centre-back for the first team.

The 18-year-old joined the Gunners in January 2015 from Legia Warsaw, where he had been playing primarily as a defensive midfielder, but was transformed into a centre-back under the tutelage of Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.

Bielik has thus far only turned out for the Under-21s side, but an injury to veteran centre-back Per Mertesacker has left Wenger considering whether to promote the Pole to the first-team setup.

"When Arsenal changed my position, I wasn't very happy because it wasn't what I loved in football. From a midfielder to a centre-back, it was a big difference for me," Bielik admitted to Arsenal Player. "Now I feel much better, and I feel I can be a really good centre-back.

"When I train with the first team, I feel I'm making really good progress in this position. Compared to three months ago, I have made really good progress. I feel like a really good player now.

"I'm happy if I can play. If I can play in the first team, I can play at left-back or right-back. If Mr Wenger sees me at centre-back and thinks I can be better at centre-back than midfielder, I can't say anything. I just have to train very hard."

Bielik was part of the squad that travelled to the US in pre-season and featured in games against the MLS All-Stars and Chivas Guadalajara.