Mikel Arteta
Mikel Arteta has a fresh issue to navigate
Arsenal are in the clutches of a defensive injury crisis - so the last thing they need is exits.
But that could come to fruition in the January transfer window with one Gunners star expressing his desire to leave the club. Reports in Italy claim that Polish defender Jakub Kiwior wants to leave North London sooner rather than later.
It is suggested that he has grown disgruntled with the amount of opportunities that he is receiving at the Emirates Stadium. And Kiwior has even taken evasive action in an effort to seal a move away from Arsenal.
As per Il Mattino via Tuttomercatoweb, the defender has instructed his representatives to sound out new clubs. Italian side Napoli are among those interested, with Antonio Conte keen to sign the defender on a permanent basis.
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It is suggested that Kiwior’s agents will hold a meeting with Napoli over the next week to discuss a move. The 24-year-old still has three-and-a-half years left to run on the contract upon his switch from Spezia in January 2023.
Since then, Kiwior has gone on to make 51 appearances for Arsenal. His request to leave the Emirates comes around a time where he has actually been a regular figure for Arsenal.
He had started against both Manchester United and Fulham before dropping to the bench in the recent draw with Everton. The Gunners have been going through somewhat of a defensive injury crisis over recent days.
Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu are long-term absentees for the Gunners, while Oleksandr Zinchenko and Riccardo Calafiori are also sidelined. On the Italian, Mikel Arteta recently gave an update amid a hint that Arsenal could dip into the transfer market to bolster their options
Jakub Kiwior
Jakub Kiwior is being eyed by Napoli ( Image: Getty Images)
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"We’re just respecting the times that the medical department has set. We monitor him every day," he said. "I never expect January to be super busy but some surprises always come. Hopefully the availability of the squad is going to be better in recent weeks."
Arteta added: "The window gives us an opportunity to strengthen the team if we feel that is needed and we feel that we have the capacity to do that as well. We are on it and just have to assess the situation because it is changing every week. I’m positive that in a few weeks we’re going to be in a better place."
Arteta will be hoping to have a few of his wounded stars back for this week’s two fixtures. The Gunners face a double-header against Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup and Premier League.
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