Declan Rice has hailed one of the players Arsenal sold over the summer after he confirmed his departure from the North London club.
The Gunners had a hectic transfer window as they signed eight new players, meanwhile, 12 players exited the club in a real summer of change.
Andrea Berta worked hard to bring in stars who would strengthen Mikel Arteta’s squad, while also removing players deemed surplus to requirements.
After the window closed, Declan Rice took to social media to praise one of the players whom Arsenal decided to let go of during the summer.
Declan Rice and Jakub Kiwior duirng Sheffield United v Arsenal FC - Premier League
Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Declan Rice hails Jakub Kiwior after he leaves Arsenal
Rice has hailed his now former Arsenal teammate Jakub Kiwior following his departure from the North London club.
Kiwior joined FC Porto on transfer deadline day, after the Gunners finally completed the signing of Piero Hincapie from Bayer Leverkusen.
The 25-year-old joins the Portuguese club on loan with an obligation to buy for around £23 million, according to A Bola.
The Polish defender leaves Arsenal after spending two and a half years in North London, where he made 68 appearances.
Following the defender announcing his departure from Arsenal, Rice responded to him on Instagram, commenting: “Monster”.
Declan Rice comments on Jakub Kiwior's Instagram post.
Declan Rice comments on Jakub Kiwior’s Instagram post. (Via /declanrice on Instagram)
Kiwior really impressed against Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals last season, whilst Gabriel Magalhaes was sidelined.
But the defender seemed set on playing regular football elsewhere, having spent most of the season sitting on the bench at the Emirates Stadium.
How Jakub Kiwior compares to Piero Hincapie
In Hincapie, Arsenal look to have made a significant upgrade on Kiwior and added a player who can also excel at full-back.
The Ecuadorian international played at full back on 11 occasions for Leverkusen last season, and Arteta now has that option in his squad.
Passes completed Forward passes% Progressive passes Possession won Defensive duels% Aerial duels% Progressive carries
Piero Hincapie 82.4 83.3 73.9 65.8 86.0 57.7 92.8
Jakub Kiwior 68.0 72.7 22.3 12.5 15.8 2.5 26.8
Jakub Kiwior’s 2024/25 stats compared to Piero Hincapie’s (DataMB)
The Gunners also signed Cristhian Mosquera from Valencia, and the Spaniard impressed, making just his second appearance for the club away at Anfield.
Hincapie could be brought straight into the team after the international break, after William Saliba suffered an injury against Liverpool.
The North London club will be left sweating over the French defender’s injury in case he has done any potential serious damage.