For several weeks the Italian media have been trying to manifest a Jakub Kiwior return to Serie A.
AC Milan have been linked on a near daily basis while Roma and Napoli are also reported to be sniffing around.
We’ve longed believed the speculation to be utter bollocks. Or rather, we’ve not thought for a second that Arsenal would countenance a deal for a player who provides cover across the left side of the defence, especially with key squad members injured.
Sure, the 23-year-old hasn’t played as much as he might have liked since arriving from Spezia this time last year but at the same time, 16 appearances this season is nothing to be sniffed at, even if half of those have been as a sub.
Anyway, his agent, who could easily have nipped the January exit rumours in the bud a while back, has finally brought the axe down on the rumours.
“Kuba is an Arsenal player, he has a valid contract and, according to all our information, he is a ‘player for years’. 99% of the time he stays in London,” he told TVP Sport.
“We have specific inquiries about Kuba from many clubs, but everything is decided by Arsenal and their position is clear. Kuba stays at Arsenal.
“If you are in one of the best clubs in the world, you have to fight for yourself. Kuba is getting more and more minutes. Being his age, after such a big transfer and jump-up, everything looks fine in every respect.
“Kuba is an ambitious player, he wants to play more and more and we all hope that this will happen in the near future.
“The club’s position has not changed in any way since May. Kuba is still an important part of the team. I don’t think that will change. Kuba came to Arsenal for a reason, they were the most specific and decisive. They spent a lot of money and maybe they see a lot more than all of us.”
In theory, that should be that. No doubt, we’ll revisit this rumour in May.
Solid player, feels like it could be a challenge to get in in front of what is already a pretty young CB pairing, despite him being young too.. but always going to get loads of minutes as a 3rd choice CB, and has done fairly well out of position at left back!
I think the important thing is that if he has to fill in at LB, that Mikel stops asking him to ‘invert’. He can’t do it. He seemed to play a more orthodox LB role v Liverpool in the FA Cup, and didn’t look anywhere near as uncomfortable as when he tries to invert.
He can learn to invert too.
Maybe, but the evidence sp far would suggest maybe not. We proved against Liverpool we can play well without a FB inverting. It shouldn’t be mandatory for every game.
It is weird to suggest he cannot invert. He has played as a #6 previously, so is at least reasonably comfortable in the midfield.
Of course, inverting the fullback will always make the position more difficult to play – it is just more complicated. So, it isn’t surprising if he looks “better” in some sense in a more orthodox role. But, I think it is short-sighted and unfair to say he cannot do it.
Or perhaps it is weird to suggest he can invert having watched his attempts at it to date in Arsenal shirt ? 😀
Solid? He started against West Ham in league cup we lost, started against Luton and they scored 3 goals, started against Fulham we lost, started against Liverpool and we lost. Not all his fault, but I wouldn’t call him solid right now.
Sounds like a sensible agent who has his clients best interests at heart, well I never!
I like him a lot. Seems like a no fuss player willing to get the job done and very happy at a special Club. No reason for us to sell him and no reason for him to want to leave just yet.
He reminds me of Nacho. Quiet professional. Zero fuss.
Opinions on him seem to be fairly divided but I like him but needs a run as the left sided CB which just isn’t gonna happen anytime soon. Inverting is not his bag
“99% of the time he stays in London”. He should really get out more and visit the rest of the UK and other countries in his time off, IMHO.
Sell him – not right now, but at the end of the season. He’s nothing special.
Should we be calling him Kuba?