Jakub Kiwior says he’s happy with his circumstances at Arsenal and that the competition to start in Mikel Arteta’s defence underlines the quality the club have at their disposal.
Signed from Italian side Spezia for £20 million last January, the Poland international had to bide his time before getting a run in the side but has now started six of the last nine matches in the league – straddling this season and last – mixing it up between left-back and centre-back.
While the 23-year-old has shown flashes of his quality and physicality, it still feels like there’s more to come from a player whose passing range was a highlight of his time in Serie A.
Speaking ahead of Arsenal’s trip to Goodison Park, Kiwior, speaking in his native tongue, told Sky Sports:
“We have excellent players here, the competition is very high. I am happy that I am able to compete with such good players and even if I’m not selected to go in the starting line-up, I’m trying my best. I’m happy. I don’t perceive that as something bad.”
After Arsenal’s 3-1 win over Chelsea in May, Arteta told his press conference that Kiwior “has the potential at his age to be great”. The Pole was appreciative of the confidence boost but isn’t getting carried away.
“It’s very good to hear such positive words from a coach. Obviously, he’s bolstering me up. However, I try not to think about it too much because it can have a counter effect as well.”
On his relationship with the manager, he added: “I’m going to say what everybody else says that the relationship and cooperation is extremely good and with his tactics, he’s able to convey what he means very well. So even if I want to say something negative, there is nothing negative to say!”
With games coming in quick succession over the coming four weeks, it’s likely we’ll see a lot more of Kiwior, who made clear he doesn’t mind what role he’s given.
“I still think that my favourite position is centre-back. However, it’s the coach who decides where I would play. Before the match, I know that, so it’s not that important for me where I play, it’s the coach who decides.”
I like this lad. Sensible and level-headed as well it would seem. Hope he flourishes with us. COYG!!!!
Strikes me as soneone who might justwith us for a decade. Solid and dependable when needed and not an ouce of complaint. Love him already
Baller!
Level headed yes, now if he could only learn to Head the ball, that’s what defenders do defend!
Kiwior is better than Gabi in terms of playing out from the back
Gabi is perhaps the weakest link in the technical aspects in the starting xi and opposition teams have started to press him targetedly
It says a lot for the quality of the squad if Gabriel is the weakest link.
Bit of both, as he’s also the best defender in the squad right now. If Arteta could merge dragon him and Kiwior, he would.
100%. Every team is about getting the balance right in terms of different qualities. IMO, there is just no way our best 11 doesn’t include Gabriel.
I think you got this wrong. Playing with inverted left back like Zinchenko leaves our opposition teams with the option to try and attack down the that flank – that leaves Gabi sometimes exposed – but dealing with that really really well secured him a place in the starting 11 in the Brazilian national team and there he has played the last two games.
Right–Zinchenko moving into the middle necessarily opens space behind him and, in our system (and different but analogous systems like Barca’s great teams and City’s) means the two centre halves have to be very quick and to read the game really well and understand each other’s movements. Gabriel moves to cover for Zinchenko’s space, and Saliba is responsible for the rest of the pitch, with help from Partey–now Rice–and White.
Where’s the poop emoji when you need it?
Why wouldn’t he be happy?
Because he’s not playing. Players who don’t play tend not to be happy, this is imo one of Arteta’s greatest strengths and achievements that for the most part we’ve avoided that sentiment in the squad. This is also why the club needed to let Tierney go despite still having use for him.
Playing 6 out of the last 9 games doesn’t really equate to not playing. Especially for a top team where rotation and no true fixed starting 11 is a necessity to challenge at the top.
Did Arteta keep Balogun happy?
Someone’s been hanging out a lot with Eddie. Great choice. He’ll certainly get his chance.