Jakub Kiwior

Starting Kiwior would’ve been the best option to cover for Saliba

(Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

One step forward, two steps back! That has been the story of our campaign thus far, and it has been a frustrating past few months for the fan base. Against Aston Villa, Arsenal failed to consolidate their win over Spurs in midweek as we threw away a two-nil lead at the Emirates.

The 2-2 draw now means that we are back to being six points off the leaders Liverpool, who have a game in hand. In a game where we dominated the key metrics, two errors in particular were to blame for the dropped points. The two goals we conceded were due to poor marking by Mikel Merino and Thomas Partey, with the latter arguably making the worst mistake as he essentially facilitated an easy finish for Ollie Watkins. It is worth noting that the two goals we conceded are not the type we usually allow, but then again, it should come as no surprise considering William Saliba was absent from the squad.

William Saliba v Newcastle
(Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)

The areas where we conceded are positions you would expect Saliba to occupy to clear the danger, but instead, we were punished. Looking at Thomas Partey’s struggles at right-back, it would have been a smarter choice to play Jakub Kiwior for Saliba. This would have had a knock-on effect, allowing Timber to play in his favoured right-back position while Partey could have taken his place in midfield. Kiwior’s last appearance came in that poor showing against Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup, with the Polish international failing to come off the bench in the eight games since.

With Saliba missing the match due to injury, Kiwior should have been used to cover, as he would likely have been more effective in the aerial duels than Jurrien Timber at the heart of the defence.

My reasoning for starting Kiwior also stems from the fact that we would not have seen Partey play on the right. With each passing game, it is becoming clear that he is not suited to that position. Reviewing the goals, it is fair to say Partey was partly to blame, as both originated from or near his area. This is not to scapegoat him, but simply to highlight how unsuitable he is for the role.

We probably would have won that game comfortably if Saliba had been available, no doubt! However, with the luck we have had with injuries this campaign, it is a result we will have to painfully accept.

Should Kiwior have started over Timber? Opinions in the comments, Gooners.

BENJAMIN KENNETH


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25 Comments

  1. I also believe Kiwior should play centre back in Saliba’s absence with Timber slotting in at right back and Partey in his proper position in midfield. Partey at right back just doesn’t work and he was partly to blame for both Villa goals.

    1. Kiwior is one of the 19 defenders that talent id expert, Arteta, bought in 5 seasons. Yet, Kiwior is not used! And, out of 6 times Arteta used Partey as RB, we dropped points 5 times. Yet, the Messiah continues to repeat.

    2. @GB Anybody who has eyes could see Merino was responsible for the first goal in that match, but go ahead with your agenda.
      Mikel’s statement was divisive and disgraceful.

    1. Sue, they could play him on the left and shuffle Gabriel across to the right. Calafiori might feature in central defense when he’s fit🤣
      Someone did suggest a back three, but I don’t think that would suit Trossard at all.

      1. I agree with you @Jax. Kiwior (or even Calafiori if fit) at LCB and Gabriel at the right.
        And while we are at it, I had observed in a comment long before now that Saliba, like Saka, is an important player without a reliable deputy in the Arsenal squad, and nobody should mention White because he is not.
        As for Tomiyasu, the less said about him, the better!

        1. Playing a left footed CB at RCB in Arteta’s system is much riskier than many people seem to realise. One of the issues to remember is that footedness influences how you receive and pass the ball as well as how you defend.
          Unless the player is exceptional the left footed RCB is going to significantly alter the dynamics of your game; especially when trying to play out of defence and being press resistant.
          Both Gabriel and Kiwior would be huge gambles if asked to play at RCB.

          1. So I presume David, you agree with Arteta. Instead of playing a CB, who would just slot in because he is left footed. You think he should move his best RB to CB, which is not his best position. Move his best midfielder to RB which is not his best position. And we just happen to get less points when he plays there instead of midfield. To allow him to play a midfielder who has not performed, is not as good as Rice or Partey in midfield and didn’t perform. To accommodate one missing position? Amazing!!!!!!

          2. Saliba plays right CB for Arsenal but plays left CB for the national team; and excels in both. Why can’t someone else?

            1. The fact that Saliba can play effectively as a LCB does not mean Kiwior can equally play well as RCB. It does not mean someone else couldn’t but my original points stand. For the way we play a right footed RCB is preferable and we’ve seen that Timber can play the role. We’ve also already seen Kiwior in that role and he’s struggled. Kiwior may be a consideration against weaker opponents but against a top level team he’d be more of a risk than Timber.

  2. Before the started I was worried him playing right back his never looked comfortable, also we haven’t been the same since white has been injured especially attacking hopefully arteta rotates him with Timber to keep both injury free in the future.

  3. Bit late with this article Benjamin, as this has been discussed previously and the census is that Kiwior was bought as cover for Raya! 😂😂

  4. Arteta goes against all manner of common sense and logic everytime he has to make adjustments to the team. Why is he the only one who doest know that Partey struggles in defense, and excels in MF? Why is he oblivious to the fact, Havertz, an average player who tickles his fancy, is completely off form at the moment? He must be aware that three of his purchases: Merino, Jorghino and Havertz are not at the level of Arsenal’s demand..His disciples like picking on Martinelli and Partey, two of the most consistent players in the team, to cover up the embarrassing performances of his first choice trio above. He also needs to push Declan Rice to perform at the expected levels and not settle for the mediocre performances he has been giving lately.

    1. If you think the performance of Rice against Villa was “mediocre” you either did not watch the match, or ,with respect, your knowledge of the game is decidedly limited.

  5. Where everyone thinks Partey ought to play is inconsequential. Arteta is the manager paid handsomely to decide where any player should be deployed …… to him Partey is best a right back.

    While Arteta’s done some great stuff getting us where we are, the general performances and results aren’t really in the direction he’s telling us we are going ……. the Premier League championship shouldn’t be a subject for us …… we didn’t plan enough to be talking about it. And player deployments and the way we play even say a lot about where we belong

  6. It would be great except Arteta likes a left footer one side and a right footer the other. But he should’ve used all the bench instead of just 1 substitution that is the main issue and causing players to look tired and not perform at their best. At 2-0 that’s when Kiwor Jorginio etc should’ve been brought on.

  7. The fact is Arteta no longer trusts Kwior and he considers playing Partey at RB to be the lesser of two evils.While I sympathise with him concerning the injuries to White, Tomi and Calafiori his obsession with pairing a right footer with a left footer in central defence has rebounded on him.Historically, with the exception of the Nesta/Maldini combo, the great central defensive partnerships have consisted of right footed players.Liverpool are doing nicely with the right footed Konate and VVD, whilst the pair at Bournemouth are becoming increasingly impressive and completely shackled Isak at the week end.In view of the injuries to our centre backs my solution would be to play a back four of Timber,Rice,Gabriel and Tierney with Partey moving into midfield.Rice started his career as a CB and I am confident he could form a strong pairing with Gabriel.The reason why I mention Tierney is simply because he is our best LB imo.

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