Jakub Kiwior Arsenal
Jakub Kiwior appeared certain to leave Arsenal this summer after struggling to break into the first team. The Polish defender had spent two years warming the bench, punctuated by a few error-strewn displays, and offloading him seemed like a no-brainer.
Despite his struggles, Italy’s biggest clubs still remembered him fondly, and he was heavily linked with a summer move to Napoli or Juventus. However, Kiwior was then thrust into the starting XI after Gabriel Magalhães sustained a season-ending injury at the start of April.
Fans were understandably nervous. Gabriel has delivered a string of titanic performances this year, and some supporters felt that his injury would be the death knell for Arsenal’s season.
Yet Kiwior has defied all expectations. He has slotted seamlessly into the back-four, emerging as a model of reliability alongside William Saliba. The Polish international was handed a baptism of fire against Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Junior, Rodrygo and Jude Bellingham, but he came through unscathed.
Perhaps the greatest compliment you can give Kiwior is that Gabriel hasn’t been missed. He has been neat and tidy at the back, and he even scored a bullet header against Crystal Palace.
It begs the question: should Arsenal keep Jakub Kiwior this summer?
Why Arsenal Should Fight to Keep Kiwior
There are several compelling reasons why the Gunners should keep Kiwior. He has proven his ability to deputise for Gabriel. According to football stats website last5games.com, Arsenal’s defensive stats have not dropped off since Kiwior came into the first team.
When Arsenal have conceded, it hasn’t really been Kiwior’s fault. If anything, manager Mikel Arteta should be more concerned about Saliba’s form, as the French defender has made some uncharacteristic individual errors in recent weeks.
Second, Kiwior has a solid injury record. While the likes of Gabriel, Ben White, Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori have been sidelined for months, Kiwior is always available. That’s a valuable trait.
Finally, he is improving. A lack of playing time has clearly hampered his development, but he is now showing his potential after being given a run in the team.
Why Arsenal Should Offload Kiwior
Clubs always need to make difficult decisions in the summer transfer window. Arsenal acted ruthlessly when offloading Emile Smith Rowe and Eddie Nketiah last year, and they may need to take a similar approach with Kiwior.
After all, the squad is clearly in need of investment. The Gunners are linked with signing Nico Williams, while they are also targeting a world-class striker. Those players won’t come cheap, and Kiwior may need to be sacrificed to bolster the transfer budget.
He’s also not particularly versatile. Kiwior lacks the pace to play at full-back, and Arteta doesn’t deploy him as an understudy to Saliba either, so he’ll only play when Gabriel is injured. Arsenal could put Calafiori or Timber in for Gabriel in the future, allowing them to part with Kiwior.
Conclusion: Will He Stay?
It remains to be seen if Kiwior will push for an exit. After all, first team opportunities have been limited, and he’ll be relegated back to the bench when Gabriel returns.
Yet the Gunners should fight to keep hold of him. Arsenal’s main shortcoming this season has been a lack of strength in depth. Selling a player who is always available would be counterproductive. He could play more frequently next season, allowing Gabriel more time to rest, so it would be great to see him stay.