Arsenal star now singled out as ‘unconvincing’ in fresh concern for Mikel Arteta

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Arsenal defender Jakub Kiwior has been criticised for his performance against PSV Eindhoven. 

As part of a heavily rotated Arsenal starting XI, Jakub Kiwior slotted in at left-back against PSV Eindhoven on Tuesday evening. 

The Polish defender has been used in this position on numerous previous occasions by Mikel Arteta, despite primarily being a centre-back. 

With the Gunners currently so light on defensive options it is necessary for Kiwior to have to fill in at full-back, affording Oleksandr Zinchenko a much-needed rest.

However, the 23-year-old seems to be struggling to get to grips with the position. In his last start for Arsenal, against Luton Town in the Premier League, Kiwior was deployed at left-back and struggled to make an impact higher up the pitch. 

Against PSV, he once again failed to make his presence felt in the final third and also struggled to cope defensively with the threat posed by Johan Bakayoko. Journalist Kaya Kaynak said “Jakub Kiwior at left back still unconvincing,” in his review of the performance. 

Now is the time for Jakub Kiwior to step up at Arsenal

There has been plenty of recent speculation around Kiwior’s future at the Emirates Stadium. AC Milan are thought to be extremely keen on securing his services in the upcoming January transfer window. The 19-cap Poland international would likely get significantly more game time with the Italian club.

However, the north London club’s paucity of defensive options at this time surely rules out a Kiwior exit. Bringing in reinforcements at the back has to be a priority for Arsenal this winter.  Therefore, it is hard to imagine that Arteta would sanction Kiwior’s departure. The Gunners’ lack of depth at the back was underlined on Tuesday further when Declan Rice was required to fill in at centre-back.

What’s more, Arteta is thought to be satisfied with Kiwior’s development and happy with the function he fulfils in the squad.

That being said, Kiwior has now had time to settle at the club since his January arrival, and he will certainly get plenty of game time in the coming weeks in some extremely important fixtures. With Takehiro Tomiyasu and Jurrien Timber both sidelined with injury, now is the time for the player to step up and prove that he has what it takes to consistently shine at Premier League level.

Kiwior has plenty of quality. He boasts a great range of passing and offers an impressive aerial presence in both boxes. He has the capacity to rise to the task ahead of him. It will be a concern for Arteta though if he continues to look uncomfortable at left-back.