Ian Wright has expressed his admiration for Jakub Kiwior’s performances in recent weeks, as the Polish defender enjoys a consistent run of game time in the Arsenal first team. His opportunity has come as a result of an injury to Gabriel Magalhães, and Kiwior has stepped in admirably during this crucial period of the season.
Breaking into the established centre-back partnership of Gabriel and William Saliba has proven difficult for Kiwior since his arrival at the club. The duo have developed an impressive understanding, forming one of the strongest defensive pairings in the Premier League. As a result, Kiwior has often had to settle for a place on the bench, waiting patiently for a chance to prove himself.
Last season, he featured more regularly during the final stages of the campaign, and history appears to be repeating itself this term. Once again, he is taking full advantage of the opportunity, and his displays have been encouraging for Mikel Arteta and his coaching staff.
While there have been ongoing discussions about his long-term future, particularly in light of his limited minutes earlier in the season, Kiwior is showing he has the quality to compete at the highest level. If a club were to offer him regular first-team football in the summer, it is possible he may consider his options. However, his current run in the side suggests that he remains a valuable asset to the Gunners.
Speaking on The Kelly & Wrighty Show for Optus Sport, Arsenal legend Ian Wright said:
“You would worry, and you worry simply because of the players he is coming up against and the level of pressure at this stage of the season for him. But up to this point, he has dealt with it unbelievably. He has come in and he is proving himself that he is good enough to be there. He might have been caught out a few times and he has made a couple of mistakes, but when we have needed him at this stage he has come through, and the squad has come through for Mikel in that respect.”
Despite the fierce competition for places in Arsenal’s back line, Kiwior has shown that he can be relied upon when called into action. His recent form has played a key role in keeping the team’s momentum going during a pivotal stretch in the season.
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He wasn’t short of suitors before and now that he ha proven himself at the deep end, his stocks are steadily climbing
The Polish international may have significantly strengthen his hands by his strong showing against the cemetery of talents, there is no doubt reassessment iwill be taking place as we approach the big summer window.
Arsenal should keep Kiwior please. I would have said otherwise if Calafiori was convincing enough for a Gabriel deputy. Unfortunately he is not, perhaps due more to injuries than lack of talent.
I shudder to think where we would be now if he was sold in January given the situation with Gabriel’s injury.
He has certainly risen to the occasion and better than I expected. Top level sport is also about temperament and confidence and knowing that he has to be the solution for the remainder of the season has lifted his game. Sometimes that’s all you need. Martinez proved that when Leno got injured
I expect it’s been frustrating for him to have spent so much time on the bench and playing lb where he’s clearly less comfortable, but he’s just gotten on with it, and when the chance came to play his primary position and help the team in some massive games, he really excelled and showed what he’s really about. I think he knows/believes he’s good enough to be starting for a top level club like us, but has had to understand the situation with Gabriel being here first and also being a top level CB who was always going to be difficult to overtake. Really respect players like him who just get on with it under those circumstances. I still would not be surprised to see him leave in the summer to play more regularly, but his Madrid performances alone will have raised his profile a lot, which is good for him and for us.
I like him, and I think a lot of people’s opinions of him have changed after the Madrid legs. He’s certainly changed mine.
I think we can give him enough playing time if Arteta decides to give players a rest every now and then. If Kiwior can keep up the standards that he has set against Madrid, he should be able to play give Gabriel/Saliba plenty of rest time.