Jakub Kiwior has impressed with recent performances for Arsenal - to the point that Napoli are reportedly in talks to secure his services.
The Polish defender was an unused sub for the Gunners on Saturday as they drew 0-0 with Everton, but he had started the three previous fixtures. Kiwior stepped up in the absence of the injured Gabriel, and his improving displays are said to have drawn the attention of a top European club.
Italian outlet Tuttomercatoweb has reported the 24-year-old is planning to leave north London and has asked his agents to "find him a new team" in the near future. FairSport, who are Kiwior's management team and also represent Napoli's Stanislav Lobotka, have reportedly planned a meeting with the Serie A giants.
His connection to Lobotkacould play into their advantage to lure him away from the Premier League, but at the moment there is yet to be any solid confirmation on talks advancing thus far.
Kiwior has not been at Arsenal for long, as he signed in the January transfer window of 2023 from Spezia in a deal reportedly worth £20million. However, he has already made 51 total appearances so far, including 13 this season in which he has assisted twice in the Carabao Cup against Preston North End.
While the Polish international could be looking elsewhere for regular first-team football, he is already almost halfway to equalling his total appearances for Arsenal in the 2023/24 season, and Mikel Arteta may opt to look more at fringe players to switch things up.
Jakub Kiwior of Arsenal interacts with teammate Martin Odegaard during the Premier League match between Fulham FC and Arsenal FC at Craven Cottage on December 08, 2024 in London, England.
Kiwior has impressed so far this season on limited appearances (Image: David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Arsenal are yet to make a real start in the title challenge this season, and with injuries in defence including Ben White, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Riccardo Calafiori, the Gunners may think twice about selling a capable defender in Kiwior.
Meanwhile, Arteta has been left to rue Saturday's stalemate, with his side dropping more points that would have been beneficial in clawing their way back to the summit of the Premier League.
League leaders Liverpool came back from an early Andy Robertson red card and twice trailing against Fulham to snatch a draw at Anfield, albeit still being two points dropped.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta applauds the supporters after the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Everton FC at Emirates Stadium on December 14, 2024 in London, England.
Mikel Arteta was disappointed with Arsenal's performance against Everton (Image: Mark Leech/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
Chelsea capitalised on the fumble, securing a 2-1 win over Brentford with goals from Marc Cucurella - who was also sent off after full-time - and Nicolas Jackson to bring themselves to two points from the top. However, Arsenal also drew and are now just two points ahead of fourth-placed Nottingham Forest - and six off the top of the table.
Speaking after the Everton game, Arteta expressed his disappointment in the draw and urged them to do more with the dominant performance they put in at the Emirates. He said: "I feel very disappointed not to win the game because, obviously, if there’s a team that deserved to win, there’s only one, which is Arsenal.
"We gave nothing away, no shots conceded, dominated our play, not allowed them to run, no set pieces. High-press, excellent. We got them there.
"We generated the chances, but the last 20 metres was missing to score goals, which is what you have to do with all the dominance because we have never been able to dominate it that way. But at the end you have to try to generate the highest winning probability.
"Now that you draw the game, you want more. Even if we win it, we always want more. But I cannot ask much more to the boys apart from putting the ball in the net."