Arsenal supporters were left extremely frustrated with one star during their clash with Crystal Palace in the EFL Cup quarter-finals.
Mikel Arteta named a rotated Arsenal team on Wednesday night, with the Emirates Stadium crowd hopeful of seeing their team reach the final four of the EFL Cup.
It started in nightmare fashion though, as Jean-Philippe Mateta breached the Gunners’ defence just three minutes into the match.
With Arsenal left frustrated at having to work themselves back onto level terms, having already shown struggles at scoring from open play, one star came under fire for his opening display.
Jakub Kiwior blamed for mistake in Arsenal vs Crystal Palace
Arteta named a much-changed Arsenal lineup on Wednesday night, which saw both starting centre-backs Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba rested.
That set up a partnership of Jurrien Timber and Jakub Kiwior in the centre of the backline, a partnership that has been untested so far.
It didn’t take long for it to break down though as a simple long ball over the top of the defence allowed Mateta to simply shove Kiwior out of the way to score an easy opener.
It led to Arsenal legend Alan Smith claiming that the Poland international was “bullied” by the striker, coming as a difficult start to the match for him.
Kiwior has been linked with a transfer away from the Gunners in the January transfer window, and the mistake didn’t do much to convince fans that he should be staying in the weeks ahead.
Arsenal fans react to Jakub Kiwior’s error
After such a difficult start to the match, Arsenal fans were far from sympathetic to Kiwior after a string of mixed performances.
While the versatile defender – who can play at left-back and centre-back – has shown signs of defensive quality at times, they have often been backed up by moments filled with mistakes.
Taking to social media, one supporter said: “Kiwior again….Never has been good enough, it’s a shame but it’s reality…. So easily bullied, turned & manipulated…”
Another furiously typed out: “SOME FANS WERE DEFENDING KIWIOR. He’s absolutely horrendous.”
“Kiwior is such an odd player. Plays great when surrounded by the first team but is shocking when surrounded by the second team. Cannot take charge,” one fan said, being sympathetic to some of the quality he has shown, alongside the mistakes.
“Kiwior should only be an option at LB. Can’t be trusted in the middle,” another suggested.
The main feeling was frustration though, as it was summed up with: “I’ll turn this off right now, Kiwior you can’t be a serious person.”
Another decided to breakdown his skillset and weaknesses, adding: “Kiwior’s complete lack of agility murders any defensive qualities he has. 0 hip flexibility means he gets spun time after time with relatively little effort.”
It seems as though Kiwior is finding it a challenge to win over many of the supporters, with his future still up in the air.
As others show interest in a possible transfer, it remains to be seen whether he has a place at Arsenal in the weeks ahead.
However, given the injury crisis at the back, he may well stay with the Gunners.
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