Interview for JustArsenal – Spezia – Nikolaou by Dimitris Manakos
Hi JustArsenal fans. I have interviewed the Spezia defender Dimitris Nikolaou, with the consent of Spezia. The Greek centre-back, who has played for 39 matches with Kivior. They were team-mates and they hung out in Italy.
He spoke to me about their relationship, about Kivior as a player and as a person, his qualifications, and his reaction when he found out he was coming to Arsenal. I posted it on England365.gr and have exclusively translated it into English and sent it to you so Arsenal fans can read Nicolaou’s statements and learn about their new defender…
I hope you appreciate my effort!
This is what Dimitris Nikolaou said about Kiwior on england365.gr: “He didn’t believe he was going to Arsenal.
“He stands out for his perception of the game, he also plays in the middle”!
They have played together on the pitch for 39 matches. He has lived it and knows it.
“Why should Arsenal get him”? What distinguishes Jakub Kivior from other central defenders?”
“He himself expected that from Spezia he will go to North London”?
These are the questions, which Dimitris Nikolaou answers for us, in his exclusive interview about his former teammate, translated from the Greek language England365!
Jakub Kiwior is only the fourth different footballer from Poland to play for Arsenal. A child who moved to North London from Spezia, for 20 million, in another transfer addition of the “gunners” that highlights the plan they have, in proportion to the way they spend.
Many did not know Kiwior and his way of playing, but somewhere here comes Dimitris Nikolaou to enlighten us. They coexisted in Spezia, they have been on the pitch together for 39 matches, he knows him and… introduces him to us.
The Greek defender spoke about his former teammate, the characteristics that distinguish him and the very big leap he made. How did Kivior react when he found out he was going to Arsenal? “He was lost and terribly happy”!
Read in detail the interview of Dimitris Nikolaou by journalist Dimitris Manakos, with the approval of Spezia:
First, I would like to ask you what you think about Jakub Kiwior. Tell us some features in his game that stand out to you.
“He is a very talented footballer. At a young age he played a lot of games last year and this year in Serie A. His strengths are that he is fast. He has an excellent pass and makes very good decisions in the game. How to mark the striker and where to pass the ball so it’s not contested.”
In England, who have not experienced him, they write that he can compete as a defensive midfielder. Does such a thing apply?
“Yes, he can also play as a defensive midfielder. Last year he filled that position in most games. He has the stuff to play in front of the defense and why not, he can do the same in England.”
What is the key quality in his game? Have you singled out anything from the time you were together on the field?
“The main quality he has is that he reads the phases very quickly and places himself where he needs to be to steal the ball. He’s very good and in the transition of the game, he has a great perception.”
Did you think he would take such a big step? You saw him every day, you knew his potential. Did it seem like a matter of time before something like this happened?
“The truth is that I didn’t expect him to make such a big leap, but he has many, many elements, so that this step he took can be carried out and supported to the absolute extent. He will cope with the pace of the Premier League!”
The world of the Premier League is special. How do you think he will manage to play at Arsenal and manage to be competitive at such a high level?
“Of course it can. He needs to work hard and get used to the pace of the league, and if that happens he will succeed.
What is the Pole like as a person? They attach great importance to the mentality of the footballer in England and to the consistency of off-field life…
“As a child he is very humble. He doesn’t care about much other than his family and football. He is terribly humble and calm.”
Finally, I would like to ask you how he reacted and how he announced to you that he was leaving? How was he feeling?
“As usual in such cases, the first few days you are a bit lost. So was Kivior, he was very happy and did not understand what was happening. When this became official, he was a little scared but also excited. He felt like a dream was coming true. And what a dream here we meet…”
Dimitris Manakos exclusively interviewed Kiwior’s ex-team mate in Greek for England365.gr
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I appreciate your breakdown for us as Arsenal supporters.
We look forward to seeing him play in the red and white of The Arsenal and he will get 100% support of that you can be sure.
A very enlightening article which I am sure is appreciated by all Arsenal fans.The fact that Jakob is adept as a DM and, by all accounts, very quick, is particularly interesting, in that he may have a better opportunity to make the first eleven in that role rather than as a left sided CB where Gabriel has excelled recently.I really look forward to seeing Jakob perform in the red shirt and wish him well in his future career.
Yes the DM aspect was a welcome surprise. I wonder if that’s the plan.
Thanks for the insight on this obviously talented youngsters , first impression reading the interview is that their won’t be an ego issue, seems too like the type of player the gaffer likes to work with.
Our support is with the kid from day one.
An extremely welcome and detailed report , for which I thank Dimitris very much indeed. It looks like we MAY have come up trumps once again.
If he is a DM maybe not as good as Gilberto Silva but even an EDU equivalent (wasn’t the greatest player when compared to a Pettit or even Ray Parlour), then this is a masterstroke.
I think it’s too early to say how good he will be, he’s young and I expect Arteta wants to work with him and develop him… but into what?
We’ll have to wait and see 🙂
Jakub Kiwior is the only formidable DM backup for Partey in the team.
The earlier Arteta realizes the better.
Jorginho came on and we conceded IMMEDIATELY.
That’s bad omen. That’s bad sign. The team will only continue to go down the rail with Jorginho play in that DM role.
This is the reason we will miss out on the league.
And we won’t forgive Arteta for it.
All the games Vieira played on the wings for us we lost them. Marquinhos and Folarin offers more on the flanks than Trossard and Vieira. Yet Arteta loaned them out, leaving only Nelson as the proper back for Saka/Martinelli on the wing duties.
Arteta is not yet a top coach, he is clearly getting so many many things wrong!
He still needs to go learn more Guardiola sincerely.
Check all of Guardiola’s team and see the typical guys he deploys at the base of his midfield. Compare to what Arteta wants to be doing with Lokonga, Elneny and Jorginho?? Disaster is looming.
We can’t afford to miss out on the league!!!!
Arteta has to wake up.
Reckon you ought to change your name to JEREMIAH! I doubt you will even understand that reference as you are not that bright, clearly.
Nice words, as expected from his ex-teammate and close friend. Hopefully he’ll be as good as Magalhaes or better
Of topic, is there any arsenal season ticket holders here tonight? I’m looking to see if I can get a ticket in ticket exchange for my grandson. But like everytime I try to do this it’s says I’m not legible. Is this true or do I have to take on a red membership as well. Are season ticket holders not allowed to purchase a 2nd if they are available?
Cannot wait to see him, but we must remember to be patient. He’s coming into the toughest league in the world, and into a team with very high standards at the moment.
can’t wait to see him play and fill in the gaps in our squad where needed. This is not to say we should let Holding go. Both Holding and Elneny are really great squad players. Super professional.