Alan Smith has praised Jakub Kiwior’s development at Arsenal this year after the defender again impressed in last night’s 6-0 win against Sheffield United.
The Polish international was once again named in the starting XI in the left-back position with Kiwior making the role his own since being brought on for the injured Oleksandr Zinchenko against Liverpool.
Signed last year in January for £20m, Kiwior’s progression at Arsenal has been slow and steady, with the former Spezia star finally coming into his own in recent weeks after a good run in the set-up.
Alan Smith praises Arsenal defender Jakub Kiwior after Sheffield United win
And speaking on Sky Sports coverage of the match, former Arsenal star Smith was full of praise for Kiwior, who assisted Gabriel Martinelli in what was to be an emphatic 6-0 win for the Gunners.
Indeed, the defender’s performances in recent weeks have been nothing short of fantastic, with Kiwior making a real claim for the left-back position heading into the run-in.
And Smith was quick to praise the 24-year-old’s performances in recent weeks, with Kiwior really growing into his own in this fantastic Arsenal system.
Smith said about the Polish defender: “Jakub Kiwior has looked better in an Arsenal shirt the more games he has played. That was a chance for another goalscorer to get on the scoresheet!”
Mikel Arteta will have a selection headache in a few weeks
Ask most Arsenal fans at the start of the season who will become their best-performing left-back this season, few would have replied with Kiwior, such is the defender’s surprising rise to the top.
With Takehiro Tomiyasu and Jurrien Timber due to return to the squad in the coming weeks with Zinchenko also back, Arteta has a big decision to make over who plays left-back.
Yet based off recent performances, it’s almost impossible to drop Kiwior, who last night against Sheffield United was again fantastic in the position.
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