Jakub Kiwior, who played a pivotal role at the back end of last season by stepping in seamlessly for the injured William Saliba, has opened up about his decision to leave Arsenal. Despite speculation suggesting otherwise, the Polish defender insists the club wanted him to stay, but he personally felt the need to move on for regular game time.
Kiwior: “I wanted to leave”
Speaking to TVP Sport, Kiwior laughed off claims that Arsenal were keen to offload him. “I laughed at those stories because it was exactly the opposite,” he said, addressing rumours surrounding his departure.
“The club didn’t want to let me go, and it took a long time for them to agree to the transfer. I was valued there; no one wanted to get rid of me. Arteta didn’t want me heading to Portugal either, so I never felt unwanted. The decision to leave was entirely mine. I wanted to play, but with Gabriel and Saliba ahead of me, the chances were slim,” he revealed.
Kiwior also shared details of a sit-down with Mikel Arteta before his move. “I convinced him myself. I went to talk to him and explained how I saw everything. He understood my ambitions and my desire to play, and he thanked me for how I behaved – both as a person and a player,” he added.
Flying high in the Primeira Liga
Since arriving in Portugal, Kiwior has looked reborn at FC Porto. The defender has helped the Portuguese giants keep five clean sheets in five games, conceding no goals in that time. His commanding displays have quickly made him a fan favourite and a key part of Porto’s defensive structure.
Given his blistering form, some Arsenal fans might wonder whether a return could be on the cards next summer. However, that appears unlikely, as Porto are expected to activate their €27 million obligation to buy. It would be surprising if they did not.
Arsenal have moved on
With Piero Hincapie and Cristhian Mosquera now part of Mikel Arteta’s defensive options, Arsenal seem to have turned the page on Kiwior. Injuries have held Hincapie back slightly, but Mosquera has already proven to be a massive hit. The Gunners’ backline remains one of the strongest and most envied in the Premier League.
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