Jakub Kiwior joined FC Porto on loan from Arsenal, with an obligation to buy last summer.
The Poland international didn’t get regular minutes at Arsenal, in his preferred role as a centre-back. This played a role in his decision to push for a Gunners exit.
Last month, the [25-year-old said](https://sportwitness.co.uk/arteta-didnt-want-me-to-go-player-says-he-pushed-for-summer-arsenal-exit/) Mikel Arteta wanted him to continue at Arsenal. Kiwior is now with the national team, preparing for the upcoming fixtures against the Netherlands and Malta.
[Łączy Nas Piłka](https://www.laczynaspilka.pl/aktualnosci/reprezentacja/jakub-kiwior-z-jankiem-uczymy-chlopakow-w-porto-polskiego) have spoken to the defender to discuss his career so far. He left GKS Tychy for Anderlecht’s academy in 2016. Kiwior then moved to Slovakian side Železiarne Podbrezová in 2018.
The defender was asked about his move from Belgium to Slovakia and Arsenal to Porto were a step back.
With regards to his last move, he said: _“As for Arsenal and Porto, league-wise, it might seem like a step back, but club-wise, it’s absolutely not. At Porto, I have what I lacked in London: regular playing time. I feel great here._
_“I have people I trust around me. In the case of Porto, there wasn’t much to analyse, anyone interested in football knows how big a club it is. The transfer from Belgium to Slovakia, on the other hand, was carefully considered.”_
The defender insists he made the right decision to leave Arsenal for Porto.
Face to face chat to request Arsenal exit
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Kiwior was specifically asked whether his last conversation with Mikel Arteta was difficult.
_“The last one, no. We already knew then that I would go on loan to Porto. The coach emphasised how big the club was and wished me luck,”_ Kiwior explained.
_“The earlier conversation, when I asked for the loan, was more difficult. I’d never done this before, but I felt the time had come to speak with him face-to-face. He understood me and supported me.”_
The Arsenal man has played 10 matches for the Dragons. He’s playing alongside his compatriot, Jan Bednarek, at Porto. The duo have already formed a great partnership in the heart of their defence.