Struggles of Kristian Arnstad at Anderlecht: Riemer’s Favorite Who Doesn’t Play

Kristian Arnstad, despite being a favorite of coach Brian Riemer at Anderlecht, hardly got playing time in the first half of the season. Despite plans to let him leave in January, Arnstad surprisingly stayed at the club and played the last games as a full-back.

However, this stopgap turns out to be a poisoned gift, as Arnstad struggles to provide added value in this unusual position.

With the return of regular backs Killian Sardella and Ludwig Augustinsson on the horizon, Arnstad is expected to be dropped from the starting line-up again, making his future at Anderlecht once again highly uncertain.

Kristian Arnstad: Riemer’s favorite who doesn’t play

Brian Riemer has been a big fan of Kristian Arnstad for a long time, and it is no secret that the young Norwegian is the coach’s favorite, as Adrien Trebel previously stated. This preference goes beyond just their shared Scandinavian background.

Riemer is particularly impressed by Arnstad’s intense playing style, characterized by his unbridled commitment, fierce duels and a lot of grinta. Moreover, Arnstad is appreciated for his mental attitude and because he always asks the right questions.

Despite this, the Norwegian midfielder hardly got any playing time during the first half of the season. This was partly due to the fierce competition in central midfield and the impression that Arnstad seemed to be stagnating in his development at Anderlecht.

“The chance that the Norwegian will still appear at kick-off is almost nil,” predicted The last news.

Arnstad mainly had to content himself with substitute appearances and practice matches with the first team, and international matches with the Norwegian U21. He even did not make it into Anderlecht’s match selection several times.

Free: “Arnstad is no longer taken into account”

In the first half of the season, Kristian Arnstad hardly got a chance, with only one starting place and more playing time with the RSCA Futures than with Anderlecht’s first team.

“What specifically do they see in Arnstad? He is not physically strong enough,” said Wesley Sonck Extra Time. Once considered one of the greatest Scandinavian talents, his situation at Anderlecht seems completely hopeless. :

“His situation hurts my heart because he is not far from the level of the others. We have to find the best solution for him this winter,” said Brian Riemer at the end of December.

According to The last news Anderlecht looked for a solution for Arnstad, where a permanent departure during the winter break was not ruled out. “The young Norwegian is no longer taken into account,” wrote Free.

The newspapaer reported that he could leave on loan because Anderlecht still believed in his potential.

Kristian Arnstad receives a poisoned gift from Riemer

Despite expectations that Kristian Arnstad would leave during the winter mercato, the 20-year-old surprisingly stayed at the Lotto Park.

He completed a good and convincing winter training period, and due to the continuing wave of injuries within the team, the Norwegian even got the chance to play as a full-back, on both the left and right side.

This unexpected move by Riemer was viewed by the coach from a strategic perspective. “Arnstad has already played more than 50 matches for Anderlecht and can relax there.”

However, this turned out to be a poisoned gift for Arnstad, as it made him the weak link of the team. Opponents tried to take advantage of this by directing their attack mainly over his flank.

Although Arnstad held his own defensively with his blue-collar football, overall it was a huge challenge for Anderlecht to play without any problems with him at the back.

Arnstad fought for what he was worth, but in this unusual position he could not deliver the quality to give Anderlecht a surplus.

Emergency solution Arnstad removed from the team again

Kristian Arnstad, meanwhile, has started five consecutive games at wing-back, but it is clear that he is more of a stopgap solution than a potential regular in that position.

He contributes too little offensively and often stays in his own half, meaning he cannot effectively take advantage of the space that is created when Anders Dreyer moves in.

Although he can be useful in possession of the ball when he moves to midfield, he often makes – logical – errors of judgment defensively, as he did last weekend against Sint-Truiden.

It is expected that Arnstad will soon have to make room in the starting line-up again, as Killian Sardella and Ludwig Augustinsson – Anderlecht’s two regular backs – are slowly but surely getting fit again to claim their place.

This could once again send Arnstad into oblivion at Anderlecht, as the competition in central midfield – his natural position – is far too strong for him.