It was quite the introduction to life at the Emirates for Jakub Kiwior as he watched on in the stands on Sunday evening.
Arsenal’s 3-2 victory over Manchester United felt more significant than any other triumph the Gunners have collected this season as they re-asserted themselves as the Premier League’s top dogs. Mikel Arteta’s side could’ve easily succumbed to the pressure after Manchester City picked up back-to-back wins, but they didn’t blink when United came to town.
A controlled and dominant display, one which culminated in a dramatic late winner, would’ve left Kiwior entranced. The 22-year-old has since joined the club from Spezia after a £17.5m deal was struck on Friday with Arsenal announcing his arrival on Monday night.
It’s a low-key addition, and one that came out of nowhere, but there’s reason to believe this was another bit of shrewd business from the Gunners.
3 reasons why Arsenal fans should be excited about Jakub Kiwior’s arrival
Here are three reasons why Arsenal fans should be excited about the Kiwior deal.
1. Greater centre-back depth
Jakub Kiwior will usurp Rob Holding in the depth chart. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
Centre-back isn’t an area Arsenal needed to address this winter, but Kiwior’s arrival undoubtedly boosts the depth chart at the heart of defence.
The left-footed arrival will play second fiddle to Gabriel with Rob Holding providing cover for William Saliba.
The Brazilian, who is maturing by the game, has played a lot of football this season and he should earn a rest when the Gunners feature in the FA Cup or Europa League. Should Kiwior settle quickly, he could take Gabriel’s minutes in these competitions.
Moreover, while primarily a centre-back, Kiwior also has the capacity to play in a holding midfield position meaning Arsenal have indirectly provided more support for Thomas Partey. This is an area the Gunners are keen to strengthen in 2023, but Kiwior could be an option there until Declan Rice joins in the summer.
Continued on the next slide…
pic.twitter.com/fZaDhU3GDT
<p>— Arsenal (@Arsenal) <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/01/23/3-reasons-arsenal-fans-excited-jakub-kiwior/"https://twitter.com/Arsenal/status/1617605695012245512?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>January 23, 2023</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/01/23/3-reasons-arsenal-fans-excited-jakub-kiwior/"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></div>
<p>A controlled and dominant display, one which culminated in a <a title="Arsenal 3-2 Man Utd: Player ratings as Nketiah nets late winner" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/01/23/3-reasons-arsenal-fans-excited-jakub-kiwior/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/01/22/arsenal-3-2-man-utd-player-ratings/" rel="">dramatic late winner,</a> would’ve left Kiwior entranced. The 22-year-old has since joined the club from Spezia after a £17.5m deal was struck on Friday with Arsenal announcing his arrival on Monday night.</p>
<p>It’s a low-key addition, and one that came out of nowhere, but there’s reason to believe this was another bit of shrewd business from the Gunners.</p>
<h2>3 reasons why Arsenal fans should be excited about Jakub Kiwior’s arrival</h2>
<p>Here are three reasons why Arsenal fans should be excited about the Kiwior deal.</p>
<h2>1. Greater centre-back depth</h2>
<div id="attachment_131881" class="wp-caption alignnone">
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-131881" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/01/23/3-reasons-arsenal-fans-excited-jakub-kiwior/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1455505969.jpeg" alt="" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1455505969.jpeg 3200w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1455505969-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><p class="wp-caption-text">Jakub Kiwior will usurp Rob Holding in the depth chart. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)</p>
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<p>Centre-back isn’t an area Arsenal needed to address this winter, but Kiwior’s arrival undoubtedly boosts the depth chart at the heart of defence.</p>
<p>The left-footed arrival will play second fiddle to Gabriel with Rob Holding providing cover for William Saliba.</p>
<p>The Brazilian, who is maturing by the game, has played a lot of football this season and he should earn a rest when the Gunners feature in the FA Cup or Europa League. Should Kiwior settle quickly, he could take Gabriel’s minutes in these competitions.</p>
<p>Moreover, while primarily a centre-back, Kiwior also has the capacity to play in a holding midfield position meaning Arsenal have indirectly provided more support for Thomas Partey. This is an area the Gunners are keen to strengthen in 2023, but Kiwior could be an option there until<a title="3 reasons why Declan Rice would be the ultimate summer signing for Arsenal" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/01/23/3-reasons-arsenal-fans-excited-jakub-kiwior/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/01/17/3-reasons-declan-rice-ultimate-signing-arsenal/" rel=""> Declan Rice joins in the summer</a>.</p>
<p><em>Continued on the next slide…</em></p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/01/23/3-reasons-arsenal-fans-excited-jakub-kiwior/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> #2 reason to be excited about Kiwior </a>
</div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><h2>2. Highly sought-after</h2>
<div id="attachment_129093" class="wp-caption alignnone">
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-129093" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/01/23/3-reasons-arsenal-fans-excited-jakub-kiwior/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1412513336.jpeg" alt="" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1412513336.jpeg 3200w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1412513336-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><p class="wp-caption-text">Arsenal beat several competitors for Kiwior’s signature. (Photo by Lia Toby/Getty Images)</p>
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<p>Arsenal were not the only club on the Polish international’s tail. After transitioning from a defensive midfielder into a centre-half during his second season at Spezia, Kiwior garnered plenty of plaudits for his performances and caught the eye of some of Europe’s biggest clubs.</p>
<p>AC Milan, AS Roma, and Napoli were previously interested, while Borussia Dortmund reportedly launched a bid before Arsenal wrapped up a deal.</p>
<p>Such appreciation from an array of clubs would suggest the Gunners have a talent on their hands.</p>
<p><em>Continued on the next slide…</em></p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/01/23/3-reasons-arsenal-fans-excited-jakub-kiwior/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> #3 reason to be excited about Kiwior </a>
</div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><h2>3. Passing range</h2>
<div id="attachment_131880" class="wp-caption alignnone">
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-131880" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/01/23/3-reasons-arsenal-fans-excited-jakub-kiwior/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1065,w_1600/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1246085056.jpeg" alt="" width="1600" height="1065" srcset="https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1246085056.jpeg 1600w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1246085056-768x511.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><p class="wp-caption-text">Kiwior excels with the ball at his feet. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)</p>
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<p>Gabriel’s function in Arteta’s system is far from simple, and this is the role Kiwior will be expected to perform when he lines up for the Gunners. Fortunately, the 22-year-old is remarkably robust and comfortable operating in possession from different zones.</p>
<p>Kiwior was utilised in midfield, in the centre and on the left of a back three, and at left-back during his time in Italy, and such versatility will undoubtedly have caught Arteta’s eye.</p>
<blockquote><p>“I love passing the ball. I like teams that move the ball and try to create chances that way. So, I’m happy that I’ve come to a team like that” – Kiwior upon signing for Arsenal.</p></blockquote>
<p>Spezia’s tendency to cede control and inability to dominate possession means Kiwior’s stats don’t stand out compared to his contemporaries, but the eye test suggests the defender is a fine ball player that won’t have any issues settling into Arteta’s control-oriented framework.</p>
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<p>Kiwior strokes his passes with style, and he loves to distribute long balls in behind defences. His passing range stands out as an exceptional attribute, but he does have some issues in regard to playing under pressure. Thus, the fast pace of the Premier League may take some time to get used to, but his potential is distinct. For now, the 22-year-old looks to be a serviceable cover option in Arsenal’s backline.</p><!—pageview_candidate—>">
