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Arsenal make giant transfer U-turn after two results as major January obstacle cleared

Arsenal are 'opening' to the idea of letting Jakub Kiwior leave the club on loan in January. Antonio Conte's Napoli are in the market for a defender and have identified the Poland international as a possible solution.

Kiwior, 24, joined the Gunners from Spezia in January 2023 and made eight appearances for the rest of that season as Mikel Arteta's side missed out on the Premier League title. He featured 30 times for Arsenal across all competitions last term and has played 13 matches so far this campaign.

The talented centre-back had started back-to-back top-flight games in Gabriel's absence earlier this month but he was back on the bench for Arsenal's clash with Everton on Saturday. Although Kiwior is expected to return to the XI for the visit of Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup, his long-term future is uncertain.

And now, according to Corriere del Mezzogiorno, Arsenal are considering the possibility of letting Kiwior leave in the January transfer window. It's added that the Gunners are looking to let the Pole depart on loan with an obligation to buy included if Napoli are willing to bring a suitable fee to the table.

There is still movement needed to make any potential transfer possible, however. This is deciding what Napoli can offer, what Arsenal want and the defender's own contract demand. A move for Kiwior is looking likelier after Arsenal opened up to the idea of a loan switch and clearing one obstacle out of the way.

Speaking last month, Kiwior outlined his determination and mindset to have a successful career, despite his lack of regular game time at Arsenal. He has played just 323 minutes of Premier League football this season, equalling to less than FOUR full matches in the top-flight.

He said: "I think it's because I left Poland very early. I left at under-16s to play in Belgium, and I knew that there was only one direction to go – to improve and get better – so I put everything into making that happen."

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