Mikel Arteta opted to pick Jakub Kiwior in William Saliba’s absence for Arsenal’s Champions League clash against Dinamo Zagreb at the Emirates on Wednesday night, and the decision has certainly sparked discourse.
Arsenal ran out comfortable 3-0 winners against the Croatian side, cruising to victory courtesy of goals from Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard.
The Gunners hardly had to get out of second gear in what was a dominant and routine win.
Saliba is out with a hamstring injury, and Arteta chose to fill the Frenchman’s void by moving Jurrien Timber to centre-back and deploying Thomas Partey at right-back against Aston Villa on Saturday afternoon.
This didn’t work as Partey produced a dire display out of position, prompting Arteta to call upon the forgotten Kiwior for the clash with Zagreb.
Arsenal fans divided on Jakub Kiwior’s display against Zagreb
With Kiwior’s name a surprise inclusion on the teamsheet prior to kick-off, Arsenal fans were likely fearing the worse about the Pole’s involvement.
The defender hasn’t featured in any capacity since mid-December and was tasked with operating on the right-hand side of Arsenal’s central defensive partnership.
As the game went on, the Gunners faithful took to twitter to voice their thoughts on Kiwior’s showing.
Several fans were pleasantly surprised by the 24-year-old’s exploits, with one praising a particular moment he produced in the first half: “Kiwior just pulled a Trossard and sent this Dinamo CB for a hotdog.”
Another added: “Kiwior has been decent here. Would be a starter at every club outside top 6.”
One supporter highlighted the former Spezia man as the player that most impressed him in the opening 45 minutes.
He shared: “Have to say, the player that’s impressed me the most so far is Jakub Kiwior. Not put a foot wrong in the first half.”
Another fan simply wrote: “Clean sheet and good game for Kiwior.”
However, this paise certainly wasn’t universal, with some questioning Kiwior’s capabilities as a fill-in for Saliba.
One supporter claimed that this performance provided enough evidence that the Poland international isn’t a viable option at right-centre-back, writing: “Hopefully everyone can see why Kiwior RCB is not an option.”
Meanwhile, another harshly criticised Kiwior for his display. He wrote: “Somehow Kiwior always manages to prove that he’s even worse than I thought he was every game.”
- READ MORE: Three winners and two losers from Arsenal win against Dinamo Zagreb in Champions League clash
Arsenal should listen to offers for Kiwior in the summer
While Arsenal may need Kiwior occasionally between now and the end of the season, his role has been limited throughout his spell in North London, and the Gunners ought to consider cashing in on the player in the summer.
The likes of Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Riccardo Calafiori, Jurrien Timber and Takehiro Tomiyasu are all ahead of him in the pecking order when fit at centre-back, thus rendering him surplus to requirements.
Arsenal rejected an offer for Kiwior from Juventus this week, with the Old Lady one of a number of Italian clubs who have been linked with him in recent times.
Having not really demonstrated a capacity to perform at the highest level, Arteta should take advantage of this ongoing interest by sanctioning Kiwior’s departure and raising funds that can be reinvested elsewhere.
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