Arka Gdynia starts the 1. Liga season with a new coach and new approach

Arka Gdynia begins the Betclic 1. Liga season with an away match against Odra Opole on Friday at 21:00. New coach Marek Jarolim will debut with 15 new players in the squad. The yellow-and-blues, after relegation from Ekstraklasa (17th place, 36 points, 9W-9D-16L record), want to show a new face immediately.

What does coach Jarolim say about the new playing style?

The 42-year-old coach, who won the Czech Cup with MFK Karvina, wants to implement an Argentina-inspired style of play in Arka Gdynia. - I would like our defenders to play like Argentina, who reached the World Cup final without tall players - says Jarolim. He adds that the team's new DNA should be visible from the first match.

What does the squad look like for the match against Odra Opole?

In Arka Gdynia, last year's squad was reduced to eight players. Among the new faces are Patryk Szysz, who joined from Odra Opole. The team has a record budget for the 1. Liga, but did not receive the full amount from transfers.

What is known about the opponent?

Odra Opole, after finishing 14th last season, changed coaches. The new manager is Łukasz Tomczyk, who worked at Raków Częstochowa in the spring. In Odra's squad, Patryk Szysz will debut, who left Arka Gdynia before the season.

What's next for Arka Gdynia?

After relegation from Ekstraklasa (last match: 3-0 loss to Raków Częstochowa on May 23, 2026), Arka Gdynia has a chance for a quick return. The team had a record of 34 goals scored and 61 conceded last season. Now, with a new coach and new players, they want to show they are ready for the promotion fight.