Gooners were just in awe of this Jakub Kiwior Performance.
Arsenal stretched their winning run in the Premier League with a 2-0 win over Manchester United on Wednesday, thanks to second half goals from very unlikely sources, Jurrien Timber and William Saliba. Both coincidentally scored their first goals of the season in the same game while the former scored his first ever in red and white.
The goals came from the barrage of corners that we used to torment United all game, the wicked and sometimes mesmeric deliveries from both Saka and Rice on the in-swinger was difficult for the Red Devils to contain with Arsenal duly taking advantage of that.
Before the start of the game, I along with many other gooners would’ve been worried due to the absence of some key personnel. Riccardo Calafiori and more importantly Gabriel Magalhães were nowhere to be seen in the matchday squad with Zinchenko and Jakub Kiwior called to deputise for them in the starting lineup. My skepticism (should I say) of the Polish international, Jakub Kiwior, has been well documented on this platform. Not only do I think he’s not good enough but also he should be sold as soon as possible but after his performance last night, I might be reconsidering that stance, he was terrific!
Not only did he manage to keep Højlund and some United attackers quiet for much of the game, he also showed at times, his quality with the ball at his feet. I and I believe so many other gooners would’ve been impressed by this showing, more so taking into account that this was his first start of the season!
After the game, some of his match stats read:
Passes into the final third; 5
Tackles won; 2(100% win rate)
Aerial duels won; 2/3
Clearances; 3
And,
Recoveries; 3.
These are really impressive numbers considering the side he’s faced in his first start this campaign. There are some things that the stats won’t tell you, and one thing he did that was particularly exemplary of his confidence on the pitch against United was a situation late in the game, where he had the presence of mind to chest the ball back into Raya’s arms after a moment of danger. That along with many other instances of brilliance defensively were the highlights of a really strong showing from the Polish international.
The biggest compliment we can give to him is that we didn’t miss the presence of Gabriel at the back! It was a really top performance from a really top player, Arteta will do well to give not just him but other fringe players as well more game time on the pitch. We never know what we might uncover!
What would you all rate his performance against Man United gooners?
BENJAMIN KENNETH
I think Kiwior did very well against ManU. But fullham always use fast wingers in the break so we don’t need Kiwior to be adventurous infield so that he isn’t cut out of position. But I think he would be fine at the center. My worry would be Zichenko if Calafiori isn’t fit.
IMO i would prefer Timber to come to the left while Pathey plays Right full back. Pathey has the height and the physicality to be better there defensively. Either of Jorginho or Merino can join Odegard and Rice in midfield.
At the end the coach knows better
He did well. Grew into the game with increasing confidence.
he was really well, and no need no bring back gabriel for now as we dont have so many tough games at this time
His best performance to date IMO, but Zinchenko still makes me very nervous.
He did well as did Zinchenko considering they have been benched nearly all season. I wouldn’t be worried if they played again versus Arsenal B on Sunday.
He had a very good game but lets be honest
United offered very little going forward
Onwards and upwards
Kiwior and Zinchenko did well the other night.
But the real test for them will come when we are forced to defend for longer periods of time.
We were pretty dominant the other night, so they weren’t really tested.
But what they did, they did very well.
Fantastic.
The prospect of Zinchenko facing a speedster like Traore concerns me and Kwior may well have his work cut out to support his teammates against a very decent Fulham side.
Many would have laden in ring rust, did pretty under the circumstances.
There is must something in him as despite not seeing much action, seems to be on a lot of club shopping list
His problem is that he’s really a left sided centre back, but he’s barely played there at all for us – almost all of his games for us have been on the wrong side, or as an emergency left fullback. Those roles are unnatural for him, so it’s unsurprising that fans would be sceptical, given that’s all we’ve really seen. Glad he took his chance when played in his natural position – hope he can keep it up in future games.
Exactly what I was going to say.
The same is largely tru of Zinchenko, he’s mainly a midfielder. I remember when he joined and journos were asking him how he’d feel about playing LB and he said something like “I’ll play in goal if that’s where the manager wants me to play”.
People seem to forget these things. Sad to see.
His best performance in Arsenal shirt. Very impressive.